“Let’s go, Bruno.”
I turn on my heel toward the door.
When I’ve taken a few steps, I hear a low murmur: “It is.”
I spin around to look at him, but he’s not looking my way. The tension in his jaw hasn’t shifted. I must be hearing things.
Bruno and I walk out of the gym and make our way toward our den. The entryway to my captor’s wing comes first. I glance inside, and my eyes land on the staircase at the back. I’d noticed it before and planned to explore what’s upstairs, but I forgot about it.
I look at Bruno and grin. “Let’s see what’s up there.”
We climb the stairs, take one turn, and emerge into a doorless opening. What greets us is unbelievable—heaven.
My mouth falls open as I take it all in.
There’s a rose garden inside an artificial greenhouse, the flowers blooming in circular beds, so many that the air is thick with their scent. And at the center of it all sits a piano.
My soul leaves my body, does a little dance, and returns.A grand piano—here—and I had no idea.
I rush toward it along the narrow path, careful not to trample the flowers. Bruno follows. The black piano sits in the center of a round white stone dais, a wooden bench before it. I circle it, drinking it in from every angle, my fingers trailing over its surface with reverence.
I stop before it. I just hope it’s not locked.
I lift the front top lid, it gives. I squeal in excitement.
I uncover it, then move to the side and lift the top lid, propping it open with the rod at a lower angle.
I rush back to the front and draw the cover off the keys.
Happiness fills me, pure as a child finding her favorite toy. Which is accurate, the piano is the love of my life, andfinding it here means discovering love in a place I never expected. Not even a little.
I sit on the bench and touch the keys. Press them lightly. The softest notes fill my ears and my heart.
I can’t wait to play, but I’ll ask my captor’s permission first. I’d be furious if someone touched my piano without asking. The same might hold true for him, and I have no interest in angering that tyrant.
So I press a kiss to the lovely piano’s lid, whisper “See you soon,” take one last look at the blooming redroses, and leave.
Chapter 13
Elowen
“Master is calling you for dinner.” A voice dripping with hatred pulls me from my book.I turn to find Nivi standing there.
I rise from the couch and walk toward her with a grin. “Hey, Nivi.”
“You’re beneath me, so call me madam,” she hisses.
I raise a brow. “Really? I don’t think so. You’re the one who came to call me for dinner, not the other way around.”
She grits her teeth. “Master hates you. If you think you can seduce him, let me tell you, it’s nevergoing to happen.”
“I have no interest in seducing your master. But why are you so concerned?” I mock chuckle. “Hmm... jealous?”
She scoffs. “Who would get jealous of you? You’re just a slave whore.”
I take a step closer. “Mind your words around me. I can make you regret them.”
I have no idea how I’d do it, but my confidence scares the hell out of Nivi. So, channeling that same confidence, I lift my chin in pure arrogance.
