But he’s not finished.
“Now you’re in this place where you don’t know what to do, and that’s unlike you. Grandfather would say you’re weak. I say you’re growing. I think you should let Henri see her. And I think you should try to do something that would make Grandfather angry if he were still alive.”
“Like what?”
“Like letting her out of the cage for more than just a night and giving her a chance to get to know the real you.”
The real me. That’s a laughable statement. I don’t know if anyone knows the real me.
Maurice stands. “I’m going to my lab.”
He acts like he hasn’t just shifted my entire world with his statement. It also seems like this is something that he’s thought about.
“Wait. I’ve seen you watching her. Maybe you’re saying I should free her just so you can get close to her.”
He smiles, but it doesn’t reach his eyes. “I’m unlovable, Luca, or have you forgotten?”
I sit back in my chair as he walks away like he just didn’t gut me. Those were my words that he just threw in my face. Something I said when we were ten years old, because I knew it would please Grandfather. Now? Now I wish I could take them back.
“Fuck.”
Reaching for my phone, I send Henri a text. Maurice has always thought I was better than I am. I might not be able to take back what I’ve done, but I can try to make Dove happy. And that means letting Henri see her. There are other things I need to look at, too. I send Mrs. Lansbury a text next. I’ve been avoiding her, but now it’s time to hear how little Chip and Belle are doing. I might not be able to right all the wrongs in my life, but this is something I can do. All I can do is pray it’s enough for Dove to see the real me.
* * *
Dove
I wake up because my stomach rumbles. Opening my eyes, I’m shocked to find that I’m still in Luca’s bed. My tray sits on the nightstand, which means both Luca and Maurice know that I’m out of the cage. Is that a good thing or not? The door opens and Luca enters. My cheeks feel warm as I smile at him. He doesn’t smile. What’s made him act this way?
“Good morning.”
He goes to the closet, coming out with a dark robe. “Get dressed. There’s something I’d like to show you.”
I take the robe, slipping it on. My body aches in the best way possible, but it’s hard to focus on that when he looks almost ill.
“Has something happened?”
“Come.”
We leave the room and go to the first floor. I’m trying not to be worried, but it’s hard when he’s not speaking. Luca leads the way, opening a door. I’m surprised to find that we’re in a small library. It’s not as imposing as the library I was taken to the first night here. This one is done in softer tones of sage green that offset the wooden floors. A floral print couch sits next the fireplace. There’s a table with a fresh pot of tea and a tray with cookies. I glance at Luca, who motions for me to sit.
Tightening the belt on the robe, I sit. The cushions are soft—the softest thing I’ve sat on in a long time. A sigh escapes my lips, but I don’t think Luca even notices. He busies himself pouring two cups of tea.
“Sugar?”
“Yes, please.”
He adds two cubes of sugar and slides the cup and saucer my way. A nervous laugh leaves my lips before I can stop it, and he pauses as if I’ve insulted him.
“Sorry. I don’t think I’ve ever had tea like this before.”
“It’s been a while since I’ve served someone.” His lips lift in a small smile. “My grandfather thought it was an important skill to know, though, off the top of my head, I can only think of a handful of times that I’ve actually used it.”
I take a sip of the tea. It’s not terrible, though I think I still prefer iced tea.
“It’s nice. Thank you.”
We sit there in mostly awkward silence. I still can’t figure out what’s going on. Things have been going so well, but I can’t help but fear the other shoe is about to drop. Is he going to give me tea and then kill me? That thought has me setting down the cup.