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So much so that I couldn’t resist.
I finished cleaning it, and, with no one watching, I tuned the homre, too. That’s all I did, but with the bow in my hand I felt like myself again.
I held out for two more months before I dared to play. I knew my contract was up for re-evaluation in two weeks – at the six month mark – but I couldn’t resist.
The musician, a lesser known day artist, wasn’t there yet, and I was just cleaning the empty dressing rooms. I didn’t think anyone would know if I played one song on the neglected jinrayaha. Gods know it needed it.
But as I lost myself in the melody, the door creaked open to reveal stunning emerald eyes.
I screamed as soon as I saw Ris standing there. I’d heard him play, and he was incredible. But more than that, he was a dark elf. I thought I was in for it.
Even though his eyes were sparkling and a grin played on his lips. I didn’t know he was as sadistic as most dark elves and was gearing up for my punishment.
What I did not expect was for him to slide onto the bench next to me as I scrambled off, hitting my knees and begging for forgiveness. He only laughed softly. “Why would you apologize for creating music? That’s what we are all here for, is it not?”
He coaxed me back onto the bench, and that was the first time I’d played with someone besides my family. I didn’t expect it to be so easy to create a song with Ris, but after an hour of us playing together, he paused and stared at me.
“You should not be wasting your talents as a maid.” He shook his head, clucking his tongue. “Go to my dressing room. My instruments need to be tuned, anyway.”
I wasn’t sure how to respond, but he didn’t wait for me to. He strode from the room, as confident as ever. By the time he met me in his dressing room, the instruments were shining and sang beautifully.
And when my contract came up for re-evaluation, an adjustment had been made. I was only to work for Ausdrice Rusodosh. Indefinitely.
Fifteen.
After fifteen nights with Ris, and counting, the guilt of running from him is insurmountable. He’s an incredible father, and he’s even been kind to me. I don’t feel like I deserve it, but it’s always been like that with him.
Ris treats me like a person, not a servant, and in a world where I’ve been taught the opposite, it’s hard to accept his treatment.
“Let me help you,” he insists every night when he comes in. He’s not much of a cook, but with his nimble fingers, he’s amazingly fast at chopping vegetables and herbs. He makes quick work of my prep, and after, he always helps do the dishes or bathe Ezra. I no longer go to bed late and exhausted, but I am definitely not sleeping as much with him in my life.
And not for the reasons I wish.
He even picks Ezra up some days. He’s had the habit of going to the theater to write music since I met him, but he used to spend all day there until his set. Now, he’ll break in the early afternoon to go get Ezra and meet me at the shop.
And Ezra has been thrilled to show his dad everything. His favorite toys. His favorite route home. His friends. I even introduced him to Annalise and Miothro since Ezra wanted him to meet the triplets.
To my surprise, Miothro actually knew him. Apparently, Miothro used to frequent a popular chivdouyu bar, where he met Annalise. Not only did they know each other, but they have a common enemy to gossip about.
They quickly bonded over another chivdouyu named Almu. Ris hated that guy and was relieved when he disappeared from the theater. He stirred up too much trouble, especially with the human help. The amount of times Ris complained about the theater not being in the red district for a reason is the only way I know Almu’s name.
But the look of shocked joy in his eyes when he learned it was Miothro that got rid of him made everyone laugh. He was bent over, shaking with laughter because, and I quote, “That bastard finally got his ass handed to him.”
At which Hazel walked up to him, tugged on his tunic, and said, “That’s a bad word.”
She’s the manners police and makes sure that we are all in line.
To my surprise, everyone has taken Ris in with a stride, and I didn’t realize why until Annalise revealed her history with Miothro to me. Now, that foolish hope has been blooming in my chest that we can be like them.
Four.
That’s how many instruments he’s purchased – so far. Ris is determined to teach his son the joys of music, and while I am not opposed, I never had the money for the instruments. He couldn’t touch the ones in the shop, and Ris can’t bring his stage ones here to be played with.
So now my living room has its own miniature shop. A shelf of polish, cleaner, strings, and spare bows is pressed against one wall. Lined next to it are three stands: an homre, ilya, and miniature awalpo – which I didn’t know they even made. And nestled in the corner is a jinrayaha keyboard. I begged him not to buy the full body one, and at that, Ris relented.
As soon as we come in in the afternoon, Ezra takes off toward the ‘music corner’ as he calls it. Well, it comes out a lot more like disconnected syllables. But ‘sic’ is definitely in there.
Not surprisingly, his favorite is the jinrayaha keyboard.
