“Oh, and Leandra,” she turns to face me, her eyes narrowed, “in God’s name, please don’t do anything stupid.”
“Like what?”
“I dunno. Like, try to leave?”
I roll my eyes. “I’m not that stupid.”
“Says the one who fell for Alexius Del Rossa.”
“Not funny,” I scold.
“It’s a little funny.” She winks before her heels echo across the lacquered floors. I swear, if it weren’t for Mira, I would have gone mad a long time ago.
The halls smell like freshly polished wood. Lavender. It’s a scent I’ve grown to love since living here. It reminds me of him. This is his home, after all. Who the fuck am I kidding? Everything reminds me of him. The smell, the colors, the windows, the floors, the goddamn oxygen in this place reminds me of him and how he consumes me.
The house is quiet. Still. To me, it’s a relief since the last thing I need right now is to run into one of his brothers and pretend that everything in my life is okay when it’s all just falling apart. When I enter the foyer, seeing the tall Christmas tree, the lights lit and presents heaped beneath it, everything crashes back like a tidal wave—the memory of thinking I finally have the world, only to have it ripped away.
My fists clench, and my chest aches. Anger rises, and I’m so close to breaking and losing control over my emotions. Every flicker of the Christmas lights edges me to the point where I want to do something drastic. I want to scream. I want to break everything I can get my hands on, shatter the windows, and destroy the walls. I want to burn shit down and light the entire world on fire around me. I want to hurt him like he hurt me, see his regret tear him apart in the same way his betrayal ruined me. I need a sense of power, even if it’s only short-lived. But that’s impossible. I could destroy the world, and Alexius would still own me. That’s the worst part. I’m helpless when it comes to the love I feel for him. It’s toxic, but it’s undeniable.
I rush out the front door as fast as my feet can carry me. The icy tentacles of winter whip against my cheeks, and I pull my scarf tighter, slipping my hands in my coat pockets. Leaning my head back, I close my eyes and inhale deeply, the cold air burning my lungs. The air is clean, fresh, and carries renewed strength to every muscle as I exhale some of the tension that’s been infecting me in that goddamn room.
Translucent and shimmering snowflakes float mid-air, carried by the calm breeze. The garden is draped in a blanket of white, the scenery serene as I stroll, kicking snow with my boots. I know I’m not free. Far from it. But I try to imagine I am. That everything is right in my world, even if just for a few moments, so I can fully appreciate the beautiful sight winter has laid at our doorstep.
“And here I thought I was the only one eager to exchange a cozy fireplace for winter’s pinch.”
I pivot, the gravel of the walkway crunching beneath my boots, and I face a man I’ve never seen before, his dark eyes so intense, I can feel myself shrink under his watchful eye.
“I’m sorry. Who are you?” I ask.
“Rome Savelli.” He holds out his hand, crowding me with his six-foot-four frame and broad shoulders. “Alexius’ cousin. You are?” Dark brown eyes narrow as I place my gloved palm in his.
“Leandra. Alexius’…um,” I let go of his hand, trace a finger down my temple, and smile absentmindedly. “I’m not quite sure what I am to your cousin at the moment.”
“Ah.” His face flashes with recognition. “You’re his wife. The one he’s been keeping locked up.”
I choke on air. “Excuse me?”
He shrugs and gestures to the house. “Not much is kept secret around here. So, tell me, did he let you out, or did you escape?”
“I…um—”
“If it’s the latter, I’ll have no choice but to help you get away from here. God knows I’ve been trying to escape this place for years.”
I purse my lips, somewhat amused. “Based on the whispers I’ve heard, you managed to escape a long time ago. So why did you come back now?”
He cocks his head and grins, his dark chestnut hair neatly cut. “I guess one could say I’ve learned that no matter how far you run, you’ll never be free of this place or this family.” He slants a brow. “A lesson you’ll learn soon enough, it seems.”
“It’s quite bold of you to assume I want to escape.”
A sly grin tugs at his lips. “Why else would you be out here in the cold rather than inside, where it’s comfortable and warm?”
“Maybe I’m just enjoying the fresh air.”
“Or maybe you’d rather brave the icy weather than the chilly atmosphere in there.” He indicates the house, and I frown at him.
“You might not resemble your cousin much, but the two of you are equally outspoken.”
“I can see why he likes you.”