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As soon as I can break out of the castle walls safely, I’m going to flee. Grab my father, and get us out of the country. Maybe we can go back to New York, where we lived before coming to Italy.
But first, I must play the part of the bride.
Standing, I smooth my shaking hands over my dress, a slinky white silk slip gown, the seaming hugging my curves, the back rising into baguette-encrusted halter straps that lead to a black grosgrain bow-topped T-back. It’s nothing I would have chosen for myself, but as I gaze in the mirror, I find it suits me.
“How do I look?” I offer Sophia a smile I hope is kind. She hemmed this dress for me, painstakingly making every stitch by hand when I arrived the other morning, telling me if she left it up to the castle’s tailor, he’d snag the silk with his rough hands.
Tears brush up in her eyes as she gazes at me through her wire-framed glasses. “Dear, you look lovely. Vincent is a very lucky man.”
Taking my arm in hers, she leads me from the room. We make our way through the castle.
It’s a truly beautiful building, a structure built for fairytales. I’ve read so many books, and in every one pictured myself walking along the halls of the castles on the pages. But now, it’s real.
Deep red rugs line the halls. Paintings of the Italian countryside, and the regal ancestors of the family hang from the walls below black iron sconces that holding burning candles. Servants flutter behind me, ready and willing to meet any need I may have.
I’ve dreamed of castles like this.
And now, my dream feels like a nightmare.
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Ella
I can’t believeI’m back. It happened weeks ago. I shouldn’t still be coming here.
“Miss?” The cab driver’s voice pulls me from my thoughts. He studies my face, concern etched in the lines of his. “You sure you want me to leave you here?”
“Don’t worry. I’ll be fine.” My fingers reach for the car door handle. “Thanks.”
“Um…you sure we’re at the right place?” His eyes dart up to the sign arching over the entrance. “Should you be here alone? At midnight? You sure you don’t want me to stay and wait for you?”
I shake my head, offering what I hope is a convincing smile. “No, really. I’ll be okay.”
“Hmm.” He remains unconvinced this is a good idea.
I’m with him; getting dropped off alone in a graveyard probably isn’t my best idea. But we’re already here.
“Thanks again.” I open the door and the cool night air rushes into the car. I’ve got one foot on the ground, but a clearing of the driver’s throat stops me.
He says, “Ah…are you forgetting something?”
“What?”
He glances at the phone in my hand. “You gonna pay me?”
“Oh, shoot. Sorry! Hang on.” I pull up the app, sending him the payment and a generous tip I can’t afford. “Thanks. Seriously.”
“You’re welcome. And be safe.” He shoots me one last worried look.
I shut the door, my boots crunching over the gravel drive as I make my way to the paved path. The cab pulls away slowly, like the driver is unsure about his moral obligation in leaving a woman alone in a place like this in the middle of the night.
I’ll be fine. The angry squawk of a low-flying crow makes me glance up. He’s so close I can see his glittering eyes. Creepy. Okay, I’m 99% sure I’ll be fine.
The full moon is bright, lighting the night with an eerie bluish tint. It’s beautiful, but in that haunting way that finds you holding your breath, waiting for something to happen. A chilly gust of wind caresses my face. Tendrils of my long dark hair get stuck to my lip gloss. I stare up at the moon as ifit’s a promise of something beautiful to come.
A ding from my phone startles me, making me pause my journey. I look down at the screen. “Shit.”
