Page 65 of The Musician and the Monster

“I’ve dealt with much worse,” Drystan replied. “Would you both like to have a seat?” He gestured to the collection of chairs surrounding the table where he and Malik had been sitting.

A seat. Yes, I can do that.Her legs complied before her mind fully processed the request, gliding her along the fine carpets to the chair nearest Drystan’s. The leather hugged Ceridwen into its embrace as she reclined in the deep brown chair, trying to keep her hands still while they yearned to twist in the fabric of her dress.

Bronwyn raised her brows again. She’d come for moral support, not to lead this discussion.

The knot in her throat tried to block her speech, and Ceridwen had to swallow it down. “I’ve come to discuss your request.”

The quiet intensity of Drystan’s steady gaze urged her to continue.

“If I return,” Ceridwen began, “I want to be able to leave to visit my family. I want them to visit too.”

Drystan’s lips thinned. “Your brother?”

She winced. “Perhaps not him. But what about my sister?”

Bronwyn shifted her gaze to him as well, reminding him of her presence.

Drystan steepled his fingers and reclined in the chair. Ceridwen could practically see his mind working behind the blue eyes that skewered her to the leather. “You know how I feel about…” He pursed his lips, but she knew what word he omitted.Outsiders.

Stepping gently around certain topics wouldn’t help with this discussion. Ceridwen took a deep and steadying breath, smoothed out her dress, and stated simply, “She knows about the monster.”

A sharp gasp filled the silence. His eyes flew wide. Drystan stood and began pacing back and forth, his hands moving in motions that made no sense but spoke volumes. “Ceridwen. You—” He rubbed his hands down his face.

She hugged her arms around herself. “We’ve kept your secrets. We won’t share them.”

“No one can know.” Drystan’s voice had all the softness of steel as he looked between the sisters. “Whatever you witness in this manor, whatever you learn, it cannot leave.”

“And should anyone ask?” Bronwyn said, completely unruffled.

The hard stare Drystan gave Ceridwen’s sister might have sent some people running, but Bronwyn merely cocked her head to the side and waited.

“You’ll tell them you saw me little, if at all,” he said. “Tell them that I don’t like company and prefer to keep to myself,” he said. “Tell them it’s for my health and exertion from keeping the monster at bay, but never tell them what you know.”

She leaned forward now, showing the courage Ceridwen often wished she had. “And is it hard? Keeping the monster at bay?”

Bronwyn…Ceridwen groaned inwardly.Perhaps bringing her had been a mistake after all.

But Drystan did not bat away her question or demand she leave. “More than you can imagine.”

The confession stripped the heat from Ceridwen’s body. She needed to learn more about his transformation. Soon. Today. She pressed her lips together as she stared between them. “I think that—”

“One more question.” Bronwyn cut her off, one finger raised as she glared at Drystan. “Will my sister be safe amid such difficulties?”

With a glare of his own and arms crossed in front of his chest, Drystan replied, “I wish I could promise that, but I can assure you, I’ll do everything I can to keep her safe.” The last part, he directed at Ceridwen.

The nerve, talking about her as if she were some child in need of coddling.

“I believe you, and that’s what matters.” Ceridwen jumped in before they carry on with their exchange. Her sister wanted the best for her, yes, but she could take care of herself too.

Bronwyn gave a brief nod and settled back into the chair, silent for now.

One discussion resolved, Ceridwen shifted her focus to Drystan. “If I’m to return to your employment, I need to know more about the monster.” She pinned him with her steady gaze as he often did her. “What causes it to appear. How to prevent it. How you change back. Everything.”

A muscle jumped in Drystan’s clenched jaw. Eventually, he nodded, a move that disheveled some of the dark hair curling around his ear. “That’s fair, but you and you alone shall know. Tell no one. Not your family, not Malik, nor any in the household.Don’t write any of it down. And no one, save you, shall enter my tower.” His steely gaze slid to Bronwyn. “Not for any reason.”

She crossed her arms but nodded.

“And my family will still receive payment for my services?” She couldn’t forget that, no matter whatever else he’d provided or agreed to. Her father would need more medicine, which only money could supply. Despite her own worries and hesitations, his very life depended upon her actions. That certainty helped Ceridwen’s lingering apprehension to slide into the background.

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