Aftermath
Helina realized she was sitting on a plush couch when her mind finally cleared enough for her to notice her surroundings. She looked around the room, her whole face feeling swollen, tears still dampening her cheeks. Standing, she walked over to the window and stared outside. It was dark but she could still see the grand mansion in the distance.
Staring at it, her mind went blank. She willed herself not to cry anymore, to act as though she was strong when she was anything but. Turning away, she took in her surroundings. A lit fireplace took up half the wall on one side, the flames licking their way across the wood. A plush leather couch sat in front of it, along with two small end tables on each side of the couch, and a coffee table in front of that. The walls were a dark blue, but nothing adorned them. She walked out the small entryway into the foyer, the front door huge and the wood looking thick and indestructible. Walking through another entryway, she entered an entertainment room. This one was filled with the latest electronic devices. Again, there were no pictures or decorations. The one thing that looked completely out of place in the modernized room was the glossy black baby grand piano that sat in the corner.
She walked over to and ran her fingers along the smooth ivory keys, absently pulling the velvet seat out and sitting down. She let both her hands rest on the keys, not pressing down hard enough to actually make any noise, just feeling their smoothness. Closing her eyes, she let her mind drift to memories of Lizzy. She thought about how her dark hair used to blow in the wind and cover her face and how angry she would get. She couldn’t help but smile at the image.
No matter how much she tried to refrain, she couldn’t help when her thoughts turned toward Gaijryc. She closed her eyes and remembered how his blue eyes would stare down at her as they made love. A warm tear escaped her eye and she quickly brushed it away. She slowly opened her eyes and stared down at where her fingers met the keys. The song came over her, the notes filling her mind and flowing out of her fingers. She let her eyes close and thought about where her life had gone, what she had gained, and what she had lost.
Beethoven filled her very body, the song like background music for the memories that played like a movie inside of her head. Her peaceful images suddenly turned dark and bleak, the song playing beneath her fingers going down the same road. She saw Lizzy on the ground, her eyes no longer bright and alive. She was now just a lifeless body. She saw Gaijryc standing on that podium, his eyes on the redhead, her body wrapped around his. Helina cut those images off, knowing no matter how hard she tried she couldn’t change what had already happened.
Opening her eyes again, she watched her fingers dance across the keys. This particular song had been a favorite of Lizzy and her. She remembered how her sister used to beg her to play it for her on her thirty-dollar keyboard. Helina started to laugh at the memory. She stopped playing, her laughter coming uncontrollably. That same happy laughter turned into a desperate sob. She was filled was anger and hopelessness, the only emotions she seemed capable of feeling now.
Gaijryc sat on his throne with another full bottle of Crown in hand. Guests moved in the center of the room, their dancing that of old world style, classical and light. Others sat in the corners, the females’ dresses hiked up to their thighs as the males dipped their hands beneath the fabrics until they disappeared. Iena mingled with the ones below. Her expression was one of smug content, her movements that of a satisfied female. It made him sick. He should have told the truth, should have told the lot of them that he was madly in love with his human female and they could all fuck themselves.
He looked at his mother—the evil and vile bitch that she was. She narrowed her gaze at him and he could see her mind working, could practically hear her thoughts about Helina and what was really going on between them. Her mouth curved in a wicked smile and he turned away. He knew that no matter what happened he couldn’t be selfish, couldn’t put Helina in danger because of what he wanted, even if he had to be mated to the devil herself.
“I don’t mean to intrude, my lord, but maybe I should get you something else to drink?”
He looked down at Lucie and purposely took a long swig of the whiskey. His vision was already blurred from the alcohol, her face going in and out of focus. He balanced the bottle on his leg and smiled at her, although it was completely forced.
“No thank you, Lucie. Tonight I plan on getting shit faced.” She didn’t return the smile, just looked at him as he drank again.
“When are you going to admit the truth? When are you going to see what’s right in front of you?”