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“You’re good with me. And Maurice.”
He snorts. “Two of the easiest people to get along with ever. That doesn’t count.”
“It counts. You don’t even have to say anything. I just like having you around.”
He shakes his head again sadly. “I have to stay here. I gave Sethos my word.”
I pout. “God, he’s a drama queen. No one is going to burn down the theater. Should I stay here with you?”
“No, princess. You go have a good time. Come back and visit me before morning?”
I press a kiss to his nose as I rise to my feet. “Of course. I won’t be long. Just a couple of drinks. I can sleep late tomorrow ’cause I don’t have to be here until five.”
His deep voice rumbles a goodbye. I turn and give him a final wave before I leave the tower. I really wish he wasn’t bound to his word or so reserved in front of others. I wish he could see what I see when I look at him. What I see is the most perfect guy I’ve ever known. I just wish I could get it through his thick skull.
TWENTY
William
I hate when she’s far from me. Well, far is a relative term really. I hate when she’s out of arm's reach. But I can’t hold her back from celebrating her success.
She was absolutely magnificent on stage. Naturally I watched the whole performance from my rooftop tower. Jessie was beautiful, of course. Even beneath the heavy makeup that partially disguises her natural beauty, she is stunning. Tonight I could have closed my eyes and flown on the notes of her song. I’ve heard it many times each day since she first began rehearsing the part. Every single time, the achingly sweet melody is a current of wind beneath the wings of my soul.
Of course, I kept my eyes open. I didn’t want to miss a moment. I also didn’t want to miss any potential threat. I alternated watching my princess with scanning the outside of the theater and watching the crowd. The ones I could see anyway. I’m relieved now the theater is emptying and contented audience members are walking out onto the winter streets. Jessie walks out with a group of other cast members. She’s wearing a thick warm jacket against the cold that doesn’t touch my skin anymore. Turning, she blows a kiss up toward me before the group heads down a narrow side street and out of view.
After about an hour, I relax. Seems like Sethos might have been worrying about nothing. He seemed to think opening night held the highest risk. So, I guess I can worry a little less tomorrow and the night after that and the night after that. I sigh, thinking how many nights it might take for me to trust nothing bad will happen to my angel.
Shaking out stiff limbs, I climb down from my perch and turn to lift the heavy marble, revealing the small hole beneath. I bend and lift out the pouch, carefully supporting the worn leather in my large hands to keep it from tearing.
The coins inside spill out into my palm when I tip the bag. I shake my head. I don’t even know why I’ve taken them out again. Not like counting them will produce any more. It’s a bitter irony that this treasure is just as much a curse on me now as it ever was. From the center of the pile, a single golden ring mockingly winks at me.
I wish I never set eyes on the damn things. Only then, I would never have been cursed at all, and I’d have lived out my natural life to die centuries ago, never having met the love of my life.
I shove the measly stash back into its bag and the bag back into my keeping place. Returning the stone perch to its usual position, I straighten to see Sethos watching me. I step instinctively over the marble plinth, though I don’t think he saw me. Still, you can never trust a sphinx with your gold, and I’d trust Sethos even less than most. “What do you want?”
His fur-tipped tail flicks against his leg. “Just to make sure you’re doing what you promised.”
