Page 105 of The Musician and the Monster

Chapter 48

Drystan

Drystan waited in the thin compartment between the two sides of the mirror. He’d have sworn he wasn’t claustrophobic, but waiting there in the tight space nearly drove him mad.

A stagehand came in once, depositing fresh red roses in a large vase similar to others dotted around the room, bearing clusters of the long-stemmed flowers. Other more seasonal arrangements stood on the gilded vanity and low table set between a number of cream-colored seats.

She’d amassed quite the number of favors in just a few days, enough that he had to fight the prickle of jealousy trying to worm its way under his skin.

But where was Ceridwen? She should be back by now. Every moment that drew by increased his worry until a sheen of sweat broke out on the back of his neck.

He hadn’t failed to notice that the royal box was occupied that night, or who exactly lingered there. The idea of the king that close to Ceridwen set even his beast on edge, all the calm and comfort of her songs fading in the wake of the terrible possibilities his mind wrought.

Finally, the door opened.

Ceridwen entered, even more mesmerizing this close than she was on stage. Though he’d seen her not long ago from above, he almost couldn’t fully convince himself she was real. Here, in the capital, in an opera house no less.

“Did you leave already?” she mused aloud, sinking onto a pale settee.

“Ceridwen,” he called through the glass.

She leaped to her feet, turning this way and that. “Drystan? Where are you?”

“Come to the mirror.” Though he’d tried to open it, the thing held firm from his side. Still, some lock on her side might not keep him from breaking the damnable thing just for the assurance that no one else would ever use it to sneak into her dressing room.

Ceridwen crossed the distance and placed her hand upon the glass. Drystan mirrored it, his larger hand dwarfing hers through the blurry, aged surface.

She gasped, her gaze focusing on his hand against hers, barely separated. “It is you.”

“Yes, I’m here,” he promised, savoring the look of wild relief that crossed her face. “There must be some kind of lock on your side. Check the frame.”

Leave it to Malik to give incomplete instructions.

In haste, Ceridwen ran her palms around the edge of the frame, searching for a release. After a moment, something clicked, and Drystan found that he could move the glass frame.

Ceridwen jumped back as the frame swung wide, and Drystan stepped into the room.

“Ceridwen,” he gasped, seeing her before him, no barrier, no stage in the way.

He expected her to run to him, to hug him, or perhaps to weep. He did not expect her to glance away. A tingle of doubt anchored him to the ground, unease wrenching him harder than when he’d spoke with Lord Stellan earlier that day, sharing his secrets and possibly sealing his doom.

“You left me,” she whispered.

He dropped his head and slumped his shoulders.Ah…“It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done.” He gripped the mirror frame to steady himself in the wake of her rejection. “I only wanted to keep you safe.”

That and far, far away from the king and the capital. Yet on that score, he’d failed. He feared the headstrong beauty might beg to join him if he’d stayed. But venturing here on her own, albeit with Malik and Bronwyn, was something he never expected.

“And you really thought running away was the best option?” She sniffled, on the edge of tears.

“If it kept you away from here, far from harm, then yes.” The mirror frame cracked in his grip.

“Well, I’m here now.” She stared him down.

Damn him, she was. Yet there he stood, like a scolded boy, instead of showing her just how much she meant.

Drystan rushed forward, wrapping her in a crushing embrace. She sniffled again but did not pull away or struggle. Tears dripped onto his dark shirt as he pressed a soft kiss to her hair. Holding her, feeling her in his arms, her scent in every breath he took was a fantasy, one he’d longed for since the moment he left her lying in his bed. “I love you, Ceridwen. I’m so proud of all you’ve done and accomplishedhere.” It wasn’t lost on him that she’d taken the reins of her life into hand and made her dreams come true. His brave, strong woman. “The people love you, and I’m so glad I got to hear you play from the shadows tonight, to see you one last time, but now you have to leave this place.”

“No,” she mumbled into his chest.

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