Page 76 of Lunar Diamonds
“And how did my dad get one?” I asked.
Her expression showed anger coupled with disappointment. “All I have ever done is serve this family. Keep its secrets, hold its hand, listen to the pettiness of their lives.” Tears brimmed in her tired eyes. “I don’t know why you had the diamond. I’m sorry.”
“Come on, Mum.” Ollie went to her, offering her a comforting hug.
Tears rolled down her cheeks as she clung to her son. “Tonight has been a lot. I think we should leave things here.” She sniffled, not looking at any of us. “Mr. Parish? Would you please draw me a map of the catacombs?”
“Of course,” he said.
“Thank you. The Brambles will show you all to your rooms.” Erin got to her feet. “Forgive me for this, but I must have some time alone.”
Ollie led her out of the attic.
Guilt hung like a rusty chain around my neck. Not for anything I’d done, but for failing to help her. Which was silly. What could I do to ease her pain?
Damn.
I followed Alice out of the attic, leaving the others behind.
My body still tingled from the binding, though my cock finally gave up the firmness.
“Your room is in the east wing.” She led me out of a secret door straight into a corridor of paintings and the terracotta-and-gold décor.
I took a breath, pausing to massage my temples beside an ornate vase. “Will Erin be okay?”
Alice faced me. “She gave up her dreams for this house, sir.”
That’s it, throw another chain around my neck.
“But you really don’t have to worry,” she quickly added. “She’s exhausted. It’s been tough for her since your mother died. And things will get better from here. We’ll all get used to each other and establish a routine. Build trust. That’s the key.” She smiled. “How’s your head?”
“Overflowing.”
“Mine too. Come on, let’s get you to your bedroom. It’ll be good for you to relax.”
“Thanks.”
The corridor ended at a carpeted stairwell. Halfway down it, I made some small talk about the paintings, but got cut off.
Pop!
In one moment, I was waffling away, the next I popped back into the attic. Literally. A popping sound and a puff of silvery smoke and I stood face-to-face with Drake.
“What the hell just happened?” I stumbled forward, slightly dizzy.
“Riley?” Drake said.
Correcting my balance, I looked him square in the eye, full of dread. “Are you thinking what I’m thinking?”
“What are you thinking?” he countered.
I hurried out of the attic again to test my simmering theory. Got to the same spot on the stairs and returned to the attic with the same pop.
Oh. Crap.
Drake rubbed at his chest. “Did this… What just happened?”
That dread forced my stomach to backflip. “It’s the bonding. We can’t be too far apart.”
