Page 68 of Shattered Vows

Chapter

Twenty-Nine

RAPSODY

Afew nights later, I walk out of the bathroom after my shower, and Kol isn’t in the bed, but a gorgeous pale purple dress is strewn across the bed in his place.

I love that everything he buys me is purple.

I get a closer look and gasp. The sheer fabric overlaying the dress has a bunch of small flowers sewn to the skirt, up the bodice, and over the two straps. It’s gorgeous, and it had to have cost him a small fortune.

On the floor beside the bed is a pair of silver heels. They have a crystal snake that wraps around the heel and comes up to wrap around my ankle and lower leg.

I whip my head right and left, checking for Kol, but I’m met with the usual shadows that darken the room. It’s then I notice the note on the night table, folded in half with my name scribbled on the outside.

With a smile, I walk over and read the note.

Meet me in the conservatory.

K

I grin at the paper. I’m not sure what this is about, but I don’t care. I rush to grab some underwear, then think better of it, deciding to go without.

Anabelle gifted me hair and makeup products a couple of days ago, so I head into the bathroom to get ready. I’m no expert, but I do an okay job, probably because makeup just feels like paint for your face.

Once that’s done, I slide into the dress and put on the heels. I walk over to the full-length mirror like a baby calf since I don’t have any experience with heels, and when I see myself, tears well in my eyes.

I’ve never felt this beautiful. Not even when I put on my wedding dress for my wedding to Alistair. I look so…alive. How far I’ve come in such little time. I feel like a flower opening for the sun. The more Kol loves me and allows me to find myself, the more I blossom.

With one last look at myself, I leave the room and head into the dark hallway. Nothing, not even the oppressive darkness of the shadows that linger between the flickering sconces, can bring me down. I feel like when winter turns to spring, and all of nature’s beauty shines in vibrant colors.

By the time I reach the conservatory, I’ve somewhat figured out how to walk in heels. Which is a good thing, because as I enter through the doorway, I almost stumble at what I see.

The room is lit up with candles casting a yellow glow that’s reflected on the glass. In the center of the room, to the side of the easel and the piece I’ve been working on, is a small table for two. Music plays from a speaker, loud enough to be heard, but soft enough not to take over.

The sound of shoes clicking on the floor draws my eye past the table as Kol makes his way over to me. He has a glass of wine in hand, and he’s wearing a dark gray suit with a black shirt underneath, sans tie. It fits him perfectly, and there is no doubt in my mind it’s a custom piece.

His eyes soak me in, and I preen under his attention, knowing he likes what he sees. He sets the glass of wine on the table as he passes and continues toward me.

“Christ, you look so beautiful.” He looks at me in wonder, as if he almost can’t believe that I’m here with him.

“You look so handsome.” I too feel lucky to be here, especially after I messed it all up four years ago.

With the way he’s looking at me, I assume he’s going to kiss me, maybe ravage me before we eat, but he does no such thing. Instead, he leans in and kisses my temple, his hand falling to the small of my back.

“What’s all this?” I ask in a soft voice.

“I thought you might enjoy dressing up and having a fancy dinner. Kind of like if we’d met under normal circumstances, and I was dating you.”

I smile up at him. “Thank you, I love it.” I love you, I want to say, but I’m too afraid to scare him off—or worse, that he won’t believe me.

“Come.” He links his fingers with mine and leads me to the table where there are two plates with silver domes over top. “I hope you’re hungry. I had the kitchen prepare your favorite.”

My forehead wrinkles. I don’t remember ever telling Kol what my favorite food is. He goes to one chair and pulls it out for me, waiting until I sit to push it back in. Then he lifts the lid, uncovering a burger and fries.

I laugh and look up at him. “All this”—I motion around us—“and we’re having a burger and fries?”

He sits across from me and removes the silver dome from over his plate. “You ordered it when I took you to the horse races and go-karting and inhaled it both times.”

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