“In his bloodborn body, your angel could be a king,” Lena said with a trill of excitement. “He was destined for greatness, you know.” She turned to me, and I only nodded. My emotions mirrored hers like a faint echo.
“Would you sacrifice for him?” Lucian asked, eyes narrowed and searching mine.
“Absolutely.”
“Yes, I imagine you would.” Lena mined me with her gaze, peeling back my protective layers until she was dissecting my naked soul. “But it may take some time, dear. I would need to ask around, call in a few favors.”
“You think you could find it, though? His body?”
“I can certainly try. There is nothing I wouldn’t do for my son, and I can see you truly love him. The two of youshouldbe together.”
“Together,” I said. My heart yearned for it. You were all I ever wanted. We would be okay. Your mother would take care of everything.
She smiled and drew one finger gently along my cheek, just like you used to do. “Such a charming young man. I think it might be better if this conversation stayed between us, don’t you? I love my son, but we’ve had some differences of opinion in the past.”
“I can keep a secret,” I assured her.
She nodded. “Yes, my pet, I bet you can.”
The limo stopped a few blocks from my apartment. Lena told me she’d send for me when she had news. Before departing, she said this:
“Your production ofLa Bayadèretonight left out the fourth and final act.”
I knew that already. In the original version, the gods destroy the temple as retribution for Nikiya’s murder, killing everyone in it. I also knew why we hadn’t performed it.
“Our director… he left town suddenly. The interim director felt it would be taking on too much to include it.”
“Pity,” Lena said with pursed, rosebud lips that held a slight smirk. “I much prefer the original ending.”
There was a man already waiting on the street. Without a word, he handed me my dance bag with everything I’d left behind at the theater. Then he climbed into the limousine and shut the door behind him. The sleek silver vehicle rolled away. Lena left me in a fog that didn’t lift until much later.
I soaked in the bath and scrubbed down my skin until there was a thick layer of reflective gold floating on the water’s surface, concealing everything underneath. Some secrets were necessary between us. You had certainly kept things from me.
That night I dreamed of the two of us. You were a warrior, and I was your golden idol to be pursued and conquered. I dreamed of all the sexy ways we’d be reunited and woke up damp from my own ejaculation. For the first time in months, I felt hopeful.
Your mother would come through for us—I was sure of it—and then we could be together.
Together.
Together.
40
Orlando
We’d just finished our last showing ofLa Bayadère, a Sunday matinee. I was backstage after taking our final bows when I thought I heard your mother calling for me, only it was a different voice this time, deeper and more masculine. Lucian? I didn’t hesitate to follow the path I’d taken before, ending up in the same alleyway where the silver limo waited with the door already open. Lucian stood on the sidewalk, dressed to kill. The water from the light rain beaded up on his suit jacket as if repelled by the material.
“Where’s Lena?” I asked.
“She’s expecting you,” he said with another one of his blinding smiles that instantly put me at ease. The wave of his hand compelled me into the limo. Once inside, he offered me a drink and then a cigarette. I accepted a bottle of water, and while I drank, Lucian surveyed me with his cool, blue eyes like he was memorizing my features.
“I swear I don’t normally dress like this,” I said.
He chuckled. “You should. Gold suits you.”
“You think?” I glanced down at my shimmering gold paint and shrugged. “Were you able to catch the show?”
Lucian’s smile widened. “Yes. Twice, now. You continue to impress me.”
