Page 34 of The Musician and the Monster

Ceridwen ran her fingertips along his shirt, the brief and fleeting touch stirring up more emotion than she could know. “Who were you?” she asked.

“It doesn’t matter.”

Her mouth parted, questions sure to follow, and Drystan pulled away, heading into her room. Ceridwen followed, quick on his heels.

“Who were you?” she asked again.

He glanced at her sidelong. “A failure of a man who made poor decisions.”

Too many of them to name. More than he could bear to share with her. He’d been a fool, trusted the wrong people, and done things that still made him wake in a cold sweat at night.

“But what—”

“Ceridwen.” At the use of her name, she stopped, staring at him from just within her bedroom, the darkness of night spilling in behind her. “Let it lie. Please.”

“I’m sorry.” Hershoulders drooped. “If I can help…”

You do. So much.“Someday…maybe…” He shrugged as if it mattered little, but it was anything but.

“Good night, Ceridwen. It’s late, and I shall leave you to your rest. Be sure to keep the balcony closed.” Drystan gave a short, stiff bow before striding across the room to the open hallway door. Gripping the handle, he halted, looking back once over his shoulder. Ceridwen still watched him, so many unspoken questions lingering on her parted lips.

If only he could tell her everything. But that would ruin whatever they had, this tentative bloom of something, and he wouldn’t risk it. Instead, his gaze swept over her form, savoring one last look before he turned and forced himself out into the dark hallway.

Chapter 16

Ceridwen

Ceridwen spent the day scouring the manor for Drystan, yet he was nowhere to be found. His words and actions from the night before played over and over in her head. Who had he been? How much had his life changed? The man had more secrets than anyone she’d ever met. Considering them nearly drove her mad. And that didn’t even include whatever he knew about the monster that stalked the night.

Eager to distract herself, Ceridwen tried to read, but after a line or two, the words became a blur, and whatever scene she read twisted itself in her head until it became the balcony from the night before with Drystan standing just in front of her.

Your songs, your spirit. You enchant me.

She slammed the book closed and set it aside with a heavy thump. “What were you thinking, kissing him back?” she mumbled to herself.

Nothing good could come of it. Not from kissing a lord. But even so, she couldn’t entirely make herself regret it.

Ceridwen readied for dinner and strode to the dining room. She’d be early, but distracting herself proved ineffective, and Drystan was nowhere to be found. Probably stuck up in his tower, the one place she was forbidden to go. Tempting as it was to search for him there, she couldn’t risk angering him and being dismissed.

“Miss Ceridwen.” Jackoby gave a stiff bow as she approached. “I’m afraid the dining room is still being set.”

“Can I be seated anyway?” she asked.

Jackoby’s lips tugged downward, ever the one to enforce the proper way of things.

She’d tried to occupy her mind as long as she could. Even her songs did not come easily today. Drystan would come to dinner. He always did. Perhaps she’d play outside again for him that night. Maybe he’d… She bit her lip.Don’t go there, Ceridwen.

“Please?” Ceridwen asked, blinking innocently at the butler.

Jackoby’s lips thinned. She waited for the rejection sure to come, twisting her hands together behind her back.

The quick, heavy thump of boots on stone captured both of their attention as Kent turned a corner and rushed toward them. The maroon curtains and oil lamp flames ruffled in his wake.

“Kent, what—”

The younger man’s eyes flicked to Ceridwen as he came to a halt, back stiff, though his chest rose and fell with each deep breath. A tangle of hair had fallen free from his normally perfect slicked-back ponytail. “You’re needed immediately. There’s…” His attention jumped to her again as he swallowed before returning his attention to Jackoby. “Lord Winterbourne would want you to handle this situation.”

Ceridwen nearly groaned.Please don’t be Adair.If her brother stirred up more trouble, she’d never forgive him.

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