Secrets in the shadows

CHAPTER-NINE

Felix was startled out of his reverie by the discovery. He had been mistaking Layla for Claudia for the last several weeks, mentally recording every action and breath she took in a manner he had never done before. The lavender hum remained in his head, reminding him of her distinctions from Claudia, even though he'd stated it out loud so many times; she was taller by a full handspan, her hair whiter, and her face more lively than Claudia's nearly silver features.

He winced at how blind to Layla's genuine beauty and vitality he had been, how she never seemed to see the depth that filled her eyes, or the sheer force of her movement. He just stood there dumbfounded till the shock subsided and was replaced by amazement. Claudia was a breathtaking example of elegance, grace, and alluring beauty. Felix's chest tightened as he drove under the massive maple trees, remembering Claudia before she was replaced by the white tigress Layla.

Images of Claudia flashed through his mind, and he tried to push them away, but it was useless; she was there in front of him, encased in a sea of white Venetian silk that clung to her body like silk gloves. Her father had ordered this opulent gown, which had her initials embroidered onto the cloth. A gorgeous yellow brocade underskirt draped under her skirt, and her elegance was accentuated by a shimmering gold and pearl necklace around her neck and pearl drop earrings on her ears.

She gracefully raised one hand in the air and spun around in front of Felix, letting her wonderful skirt dance and catch the radiant sunbeams that dropped over them until she landed back where she had been. Felix sees her, and his heart begins to rush. Claudia, all white and gold, radiates an unearthly aura that gives him the most wonderful bodily agony imaginable. His lips tremble with need as he tries unsuccessfully to smile. "What is wrong, Felix?"

She asks innocently, but her touch makes him feel something deep below. The intensity of the feelings he is experiencing chokes him when he speaks. Finally managing to utter, "When I see Emmett," his hold on Claudia's arm tightens cruelly, "I feel fulfilled." But she knows better; she can see the truth in his anguished face, in the way his fingers cut into her skin. The cool metal of the engraved ring on Felix's finger seems to impose its own power on him as he understands that summer - and their time together - is nearly gone. "When you look at Emmett," she murmurs coldly, "you make me happy."

Though he has spent every second he can with her, she will soon spend as much time with Emmett as he does. Felix feels the end is coming like a storm on the horizon as the days become shorter. They will love it, I'm sure of it, but I have no idea when it will stop. She could feel the haughty voice approaching, threatening her as she moved closer to the door. A silky, poisonous voice greeted her at the entrance, "Oh, you know I care about you!" Her world stopped as her blue eyes opened in disbelief at the cruel reality that was said. "Oh, you know I care about you!"

Felix turned to see Emmett's eyes smoldering with rage, and he shuddered to think that Emmett had fought his father to keep him safe. Claudia spoke first, her words tight and strained, "I am sure that would have pleased you, little brother," Claudia said coolly, "It's not true," Emmett replied icily as he moved close beside her, "Maybe not," he said in a menacing whisper, and he moved closer until she felt his breath near her face. "It is certain that the father will take you with him when he leaves Florence in the next few months unless a power greater than his commands otherwise," Emmett replied, his lips moving close to hers.

The baron would never force Claudia to marry against her will; she was too important to him for that. Felix then began to discuss a secret he had discovered, showing it off to his brother. He said, "Claudia knows that at some point she must leave her father-" but his brother lunged forward and glared at him, silencing him. Felix glared back at Emmett's firm response, feeling hurt and angry that his daughter carried a burden of loneliness every night.