Eternal Symphony

19. This Broken Soul

To avoid being overstimulated by unwarranted company, Alice excused herself from the drawing room and made her way down the grand staircase towards the now darkened terrace, the world withdrawing for the evening. She leaned against the stone railing, looking up at the crescent moon; for the moment, the world was quiet there, and, despite Lady Victoria's rude manners, Alice wished it didn't have to end.

At first, waylaid by his family, Elijah rushed downstairs, his eyes searching for her, and he slipped outside to join her. Alice looked over her shoulder as he cautiously approached, and Elijah came up from behind, leaning against the railing with one hand. "That went better than expected," he said and laughed softly.

"If I didn't know any better, I'd say your mother hates me."

He gently brushed her hair away, his deathly cold fingers sweeping against her cheek. "She just doesn't like humans. Please, don't take it personally. My father, however, adores you. I wouldn't worry about it."

Alice chuckled but sighed. "Still, I couldn't get over how she insulted me and my family."

Without warning, Elijah wrapped his arms around her, holding her close as he rested his chin against her right shoulder. "I would ask for you to forgive and excuse her terrible manners, but she's always been this way—vile and cruel."

Alice recalled how the twins reacted when Mrs. Badeaux announced Lady Victoria's arrival, wondering how they could tolerate such a mother. "Even how she treated you, her own son, I...." she trailed off.

"Shh," he kissed the nape of her neck before spinning her around to face him. "You, however, handled her perfectly. Even your musical talent impressed her, though she would never admit it."

Alice blushed deeply. "I highly doubt that, and I'm sorry that you and your family had to put up with my playing."

"I believe you're afflicted with false modesty, for you played very well."

"I had a good teacher." She looked down at her feet, her cheeks now on fire. "I must admit, I think I was enthusiastic by the end."

He held her hand. "But I liked your enthusiasm."

Alice stepped back, her heart fluttering like a bird taking flight. "Stop trying to flatter me," was all she could say.

"You told me earlier that you were in love with me, and now you want me to stop complimenting you." Bemused and intrigued, Elijah kissed the top of her knuckles. "What am I to do with you?"

As much as she wanted to relish this moment, her spirits were dampened by the matriarch's last words, leaving Alice to wonder if Elijah and the others were caught in perpetual torment in overcoming their hostile nature. "Is what your mother said true?" she asked, pulling her hand away.

He frowned. "It is in the beginning, but after abstaining for over three centuries, the twins and I have grown numb. I believe my mother tried to make you doubt our company." He cradled her head in his hands and kissed her forehead. "Have I ever given you a reason to fear me?"

"No," she answered without hesitation, "Of course not."

"Then don't take to what she said to heart," Elijah rested his hands on her shoulders, "If you want, you could spend the evening here. I have plenty of guest rooms for you to choose from."

Alice immediately stepped back, heart racing and ready to burst from her chest as she considered sleeping under the same roof as him: not because of his vampiric nature, but because the idea of spending the evening at his house made her quiver. Her cheeks burned when she remembered her trip to Sea Cliff. Why am I nervous? We had already spent an evening together.