Up in the Stars

Devastation

My entire idea for this book stemmed from the scene in this chapter.

This is where we have always been headed.

It certainly feels surreal to have finally made it.

Hope you enjoy.

☾     ☾     ☾

She held her breath as she gently slipped from his hold.

Dante frowned in his sleep, subconsciously reaching for her.

Quickly, Enid placed a pillow where she had been previously.

He clutched it closer, holding it close like he did to her.

Slowly, she began to crawl down the bed.

Placing her feet on the cold floorboards, she winces as it gives a soft creak.

Her heartbeat is deafening in her ears.

Taking a small glance at the three men asleep in the canopy bed, she crosses her fingers.

Alexander shifts onto his side, mumbling something indistinguishable.

Their sleep is undisturbed, so she pads quietly over to the door.

Cracking it open gently, she slips out and finally exhales.

When she had returned to the estate earlier that evening, she had painted her best fake smile across her face.

She had debated Chaucer with Dante, sat in Alexander's lap.

Felt her heart stutter as Theodore pressed kisses along her neck.

All while her mind was on the office above their heads.

Now in the dark landing, she felt along the wall to guide her toward the staircase.

Moonlight fell from the large windows, dripping across the wood steps.

Her silhouette like a ghost under the milky light.

The eerie silence of the estate was haunting as she made it to the second floor.

Goosebumps ran the length of her bare arms, her small sleeping gown allowing the chill to seep into her bones.

Shadows seemed to shift as she slipped down the carpeted hallway.

The space around her twisting and contorting as though to stop her.

Like the estate was trying to slow her, to warn her.

The grand statues and art seeming to stare down at her in disapproval.

Somewhere outside, an animal howled sorrowfully.

She pauses outside the door, her heart in her throat.

A memory of the first time she entered the room fills her with nostalgia.

Has anyone ever caressed your delicate pale skin?

Come sit on my lap.

Are you going to fire me?

No, darling. We're going to keep you.

The way they'd touched her for the first time.

How she'd melted in their arms, completely under their spell.

The power they held over her was limitless.

And terrifying.

How three men owned her heart, her soul.