“Hush...” soothed Richard.
Cameron’s hand rested on my inner thigh just as he’d touched me in Chez Polidor. His ironclad grip tightening, bringing with it a blinding pain, more than what he’d delivered in the restaurant, and a moan tore from me. Yet held firm in Richard’s grip, I couldn’t move.
The only place to go, forcing me within.
To surrender...
Immersed in stillness, the heaviness in my heart lifted, swept downwards toward my thigh, burning brightly in a ball of pain and light. I squeezed my eyes shut as this absolute agony released me.
Cameron’s hand lifted and he eased down my skirt, returning his grip to the wheel. “Better?”
My breathing settled. “Better.”
“We get to spoil you,” said Richard, letting go and leaning back once more in his seat. “That’s non-negotiable.”
Cameron navigated the car away from the curb and back onto the road, pressing his foot on the gas and picking up speed. Calmness descended as all pain dissipated, the ache in my heart gone. I shot Cameron a look and he gave a nod of acknowledgment; he knew.
I breathed in a deep cleansing breath. “Thank you.”
As we picked up speed, I allowed the breeze to blow wisps of hair across my face and into my eyes. I let go.
Windswept.
THE BARDESSONO with its five star everything was the classiest hotel I’d ever stayed in. Cameron’s decision that we should book rooms in Yountville had found us here. He told us that sleeping on today’s events in order to make the right decision was crucial. So we ‘regrouped’ surrounded by all this rustic luxury, not far from my father’s vineyard.
The view from our dinner table was breathtaking. Stretching out beyond our private restaurant balcony was a spectacular vista of the sprawling wineries that were enveloped by lush greenery as far as the eye could see. This was the place that had helped my father forget me.
The table was elegantly set with gold-rimmed plates, polished silverware, and a pristine white tablecloth that I was terrified I’d spill something on. The Chardonnay we drank had apparently won all kinds of awards, including a top one in France, which apparently was a big deal.
Not that I cared.
A ball of grief was stuck in my throat. I’d hardly touched my creamy carrot soup that Cameron had ordered for me. He knew my appetite was dulled and this was all I’d be able to manage. I hadn’t touched my bread roll.
I just wanted to go home.
“I’m going to burn it,” I murmured.
“What’s that, Mia?” asked Richard, his brow furrowed.
“The baseball card,” I whispered.
Richard looked across the table at Cameron. Both he and Lotte had paused mid-bite, their hands elegantly poised on their silverware. I’d watched them eat. They held their knives and forks so gracefully. Same with the way they’d sipped their water, along with that award-winning wine, dapping their mouths oh so elegantly with those starched white napkins.
“I’ve been holding mine wrong,” I said, gesturing with my spoon to Richard’s knife and fork.
“Come here.” Richard pulled me up and onto his lap. “No one cares about that crap. We love you. We just want you to be okay.”
I snuggled into his chest and wrapped my arms around him. “Will you teach me?” I looked over at Cameron and Lotte. “Everything you know about everything?”
Cameron gave a gentle smile. “Mia, you’ve taught us. Don’t you see that? It’s you who have brought true beauty back into our lives.”
“You saved me, baby,” said Richard, nestling into my neck. “Showed me how to love again.”
“You’ve already faced so much,” said Cameron. “We wish we could make this easier on you.”
“Your father’s scared,” said Lotte. “This has nothing to do with you.”
“The truth is glaring,” I said. “There’s no room in his new life for me. If he is scared then it’s for him.” My hand swept wide. “That he’ll lose all this.”
“When his wife finds out he faked his death and put you through all this she’s going to see him for what he really is,” seethed Lotte.
“Eat your halibut,” said Cameron.
She raised her hand. “I’m sorry. I’m just trying to say the right words to lessen Mia’s pain.”
“These are unusual circumstances,” said Cameron.
“What about your dad?” I asked Lotte. “What was he like?”
Her hands tightened around her knife and fork. “I love my life now.”
It seemed we all had a father thing going on, and as I made eye contact with Cameron, Richard, and Lotte they knew it too.
“Mia,” said Richard. “We’re here for you in any way you need us.”
How, I wondered, would I ever have survived this without him.
Richard raised his glass high. “To solitary trees!”
Cameron threw a smile. “I’ll toast to that.” He raised his glass too. “Solitary trees, if they grow at all, grow strong.” He winked at me. “Churchill’s words.”
I stretched over, reaching for my glass, and clinked it against Richard’s.
“Here’s another,” said Richard. “Churchill was accused of being drunk in the House of Commons. He replied to his female accuser, “I may be drunk, Miss, but in the morning I will be sober and you will still be ugly.”
I burst out laughing. “He did not say that.”
“Oh yes he did,” said Richard.
“Did Richard tell you he’s a descendant of Churchill?” said Lotte.
“He sure is,” said Cameron. “On his mother’s side. He has that same intense look of concentration. Same ears.”
“You never told me I have the same ears,” said Richard.
“Waiting for the right time.” Cameron winked.
“Are you really?” I said, laughing.
Richard gave a nod. “Churchill’s related to an American. I wonder what the Brits have to say about that?”
“And I thought you were just another fan boy,” I said.
Richard feigned horror and burst out laughing.
“I’m going to take you to London next time I go,” said Richard. “You’ll love it.”
“Oh, I would love that. Can we ride on one of those red busses?”
“A double-decker?” he said. “Sure.”
“Let’s get a massage in the morning?’ said Lotte. “Mia, you and I will get a stone massage. My treat. Have you ever had one?”
“No,” I said, “Does it hurt?”
“No, it’s wonderful. They warm up these stones to get them really hot and then massage you with them up and down your body.” She shook with ecstasy. “Heavenly.”
“I’ll try it. Thank you.”
“How about we do dessert in Mia and Richard’s room?” said Cameron.
“I think I’m going to go to bed,” said Lotte. “It’s been a long day.”
“These are no ordinary profiteroles,” said Cameron, eyeing the menu. “We’re talking award-winning--”
“What’s a profiterole?” I said.
“Really?” said Richard. “There’s no way we can let Mia go another day without ever having tasted one.”
I glanced back at that perfect white table cloth. Not one of us had spilt anything on it. Cameron, Richard, and Lotte always showed respect for everything around them. I knew how lucky I was too have them in my life. They were showing me so much. Every moment, every experience, with them was so exciting. I’d flown here in a helicopter, for goodness sake, and I’d never in a million years have stayed in a hotel as beautiful as this one if it weren’t for them.
Cameron ordered in room service.
Richard, Cameron, and I kicked off our shoes and sat huddled on the oversized bed in our luxurious suite. We sipped champagne from crystal flutes. The bubbles rose up my nose and it felt as wonderful as it tasted. Between us rested a silver tray upon which sat a mound of chocolate profiteroles with sauce drizzled around the plate.
“So, this is your first time?” said Richard with a look of mischief, bringing one of the small pastries to my mouth with his fingers.
Cream oozed out onto my lips and deliciousness stunned my taste buds. I rolled my eyes in ecstasy. “Yeah, I see what you’re doing there, Mr.” I laughed.
Cameron and Richard laughed too.
“Why, I don’t know what you mean,” said Richard.
I fed a profiterole back to him and his face lit up with ecstasy. I fed one to Cameron too and he licked the cream off my fingers.
“You guys are way too decadent,” I said. “What am I going to do with you?”
“I can think of a few things,” said Richard.
I popped another profiterole into his mouth and he beamed in delight.
Cameron climbed off the bed.
“Stay,” said Richard. “Please. We want you here.”
“Yes, please stay,” I said.
Cameron looked thoughtful. “Another profiterole? You twisted my arm.” He sat back down and popped one in his mouth.
We devoured the rest of our dessert. After clearing the plate from the bed and setting down our champagne glasses, we collapsed in a post-sugar lull. Laying between Richard and Cameron, our heads aligned and resting comfortably on the super soft pillows, we stared up at ceiling. I’d never felt safer.
“We love you so much,” said Richard. “You know that, right?”
“I didn’t know what love was until I met you,” I said.
Cameron took my hand and kissed it.
“How do people survive?” I said. “How do they get through life?”
“Like this,” said Richard. “Together.”
“And we shove chocolate into our faces,” said Cameron. “Truckloads of it.”
“I thought it was just women that loved chocolate,” I said, laughing.
Richard and Cameron gasped and shook their heads in fake disapproval.
“I love you so much,” I whispered. “Both of you.”
“Mia, you’re proof of god,” murmured Richard.
He fell asleep first. My hand still held tightly in his. Soon after Cameron’s eyes drifted closed, his right arm flung over my stomach. Even with them asleep I felt their unending support, their love that shone more brilliant than the stars I could see from the far left window.
My thoughts drifted...
And settled on Chrysalis and the darkest wonders within its walls. The promise of freedom yet to be discovered, harkening back to Richard’s words...
“Refreshed. Revitalized. Renewed. Reborn.”
THE BEGINNING...
Vanessa Fewings (aka V.M.K. Fewings) is the award-winning author of The Stone Masters Vampire Series. Prior to publishing, Vanessa worked as a registered nurse, midwife, and served in the British Army at the rank of Captain. She holds a Masters Degree in Psychology. She has travelled extensively throughout the world and has lived in Germany, Hong Kong, and Cyprus. Born and raised in England, Vanessa now proudly calls herself an American and resides in California with her husband.
Vanessa Fewings is repped by management firm IPG. Visit her on Facebook.
Table of Contents
Title Page
Dedication
Table of Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
About the Author
Enthrall Page 28