Bound

34. Titan's Fiery Wheel

Dedicated to ALL ValaraAngels for being the BEST readers any author could ask for! You guys are simply incredible! Thank you for all your support ❤❤❤❤

A huge shout out to Shanteena for your creativity and beautiful art.

Not edited! Please excuse any errors.

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Sullivan Estate, New York.

Amara took a deep breath and closed her eyes. Perfecting her posture, she calmed her mind just as the soft tune of a piano filled the room. She let the music flow through her body as she danced, twirling gracefully on her feet.

A smile crossed Amara's face and she became lost in her world, performing a series of jeté, balançoires and pirouettes masterfully, unaware of the dark eyes locked on her frame.

But she was jolted out of her tranquillity at the sound of a soft clapping when the music ended.

She turned around at once.

"Valerio!", Amara exclaimed, surprised. "What are y-you doing here? How long have you been watching?", she asked, a dark blush spreading across her cheeks rapidly.

Valerio shrugged, a playful smile on his face as he leaned against the wall. ''Long enough", he answered nonchalantly.

"I...I didn't realise you were there. You should have said something", Amara stuttered.

"Then how would I have been able to watch you dance?", Valerio asked rhetorically. "You looked very graceful and calm. It was like watching a little dove flying....."

Amara's eyes widened slightly and she ducked her head, embarrassed.

"Here I thought that I was going to surprise you", Valerio began as he came to stand before her, raising her head higher with one finger, "I didn't know that I was going to be in for a double treat tonight."

Amara's eyes met his darker ones.
"Surprise?",she questioned, puzzled.

Valerio nodded.

"Come", he ordered, his palm enclosing around her wrist as he led her to the cushioned seat at the corner of the room, pushing her down on the sofa seat gently.

She gazed at him with wide eyed confusion when instead of taking the adjacent seat, he knelt down before her. ''What are you doing?"

Valerio smirked, reaching for her foot. She jumped slightly but he held the limb gently as he began untying her satin pointe shoes.

"Val", Amara protested. "Don't! Let me do it."

"I want to help you", he stated firmly.

"But—", Amara began.

"Rilassati piccola", Valerio murmured.

Despite his order to relax, Amara sat completely still, trembling whenever his fingertips would touch her as he worked the ribbons open.

"I forgot to ask but did you receive the chocolates that I sent with the Valentini guard today morning?", he asked her conversationaly.

Amara flushed slightly. "Yes", she murmured. "Thank you, they were delicious."

Valerio shot her a quick smile at her response.

Amara couldn't help but think how much more handsome he looked when he smiled. "He should smile more often", she mused internally.