Retribution(60)
“I know, but I'll not die with regret in my heart. Remember? Live every moment like it’s our last and fight for what we love. That’s what we’re doing.”
“We can't lead our family into a losing fight, Quin. That will put regret in my heart.”
“I understand, but your grandparents and my parents won't let us to do this alone, no matter how slim our chances are. That would put regret in their hearts.”
“I don't want that either.”
Her pout quivered as more tears threatened to spill, and he pressed his lips to her forehead, desperate to make the depression go away. Their lives were too risky to spend them in sorrow.
His gaze landed on the guitar across the room, and he raised an eyebrow, wondering if her soul was too bruised to be soothed by the tried-and-true method of music. “Hey.”
“Hey back.”
“I wrote you a song.”
Her forehead creased beneath his lips. “Just now?”
“No, over the past few weeks. I started it the night you got here.”
“Really? Like… a poem?”
“Sure, but song sounds better. It’s the rock stars who make the panties drop, right?”
She smirked. “I hear poets get plenty of action.”
His heart lightened as he shifted her to one leg and summoned the guitar. “How about guitarist? What do they get?”
“You play, too?”
“A little. Would you like me to teach you?”
Her chest deflated as she laid her head on his shoulder. “We don’t have time.”
“Sure we do,” he disagreed, laying the guitar across their laps. “Put your fingers over mine so you can get a feel for the chords, and I’ll use your hand to strum. We need a pick… hold on.” He closed his eyes and summoned a pick from his house. “Here, we don’t want to damage those beautiful nails.”
“I have no idea what I’m doing, Quin.” Nevertheless, she hovered the pick over the strings and molded her left hand to the back of his.
“You’re going to help me play your song,” he replied, magically tuning the guitar.
She turned her head, finding his cheek with her lips. “You really wrote me a song?”
“Yes.”
“Why haven’t you already shared it with me?”
“I didn’t write it to impress you.”
“Why did you write it?”
“Because I was lying there, watching you experience your parents’ memories while thinking about how I felt about you, and the words came, but I didn’t finish it that night. I knew there was more.”
“That’s sweet.”
“That’s the truth, as sappy as it sounds. Ready?”
“Yes.”
He took the back of her right hand and urged her to strum. Then his fingers began moving along the fret board, testing out a tune. “See? Easy.”
“I wouldn’t say that,” Layla countered, watching his fingers compensate for her clumsy strumming. She wanted to tell him she’d learn to play so she could write him a song, but there wasn't time. The end was closing in on them faster than ever. “Did you write the music, too?”
“I had a tune in mind, but this is the first time I’ve played it, so there are a few kinks to work out.”
“I like it.”
“That’s all that matters.”
“So you write, play and sing. Is there anything you can’t do?”
“I can’t seem to cheer up my angel.”
“I’m sorry, Quin. I’m trying.”
“I know, love, and don’t be sorry. Just meet me halfway.”
They kept repeating the tune over and over again, tweaking it a little each time, and soon their haphazard composition sounded like a catchy song. Layla had the rhythm memorized and was strumming on her own, and he’d worked out the kinks in his notes while fine-tuning the strings.
Nuzzling through her hair, he whispered in her ear. “What do you think?”
“It’s pretty.”
“Ready for the words?”
“Yes.”
He waited for her to strum through a refrain. Then he began singing in a deep, heart-melting voice.
“Eyes of emerald and a heart of gold;
soft, rose lips and treasures untold.
This is the woman for whom I fell.
This is my love,
my sweet angel.
Soul so pure, none can compare.
My lovely lady, so precious and rare.
My heart soars when she speaks my name.
Her beautiful smile will do the same.
All that she does she does so well,
my perfect love,
my sweet angel.
She captured my heart and holds it tight.
When she's in my arms the world is right.
Whatever may come, I will conquer with pride
as long as my love is by my side.