Page 61 of Juliet & Her Romeos

I gasp.

The dust has been cleaned away from the piano and the floors, until they gleam. The smears have been washed from the mirrors, wooden floor, and glass wall. The forest behind the academy looks closer now. The red maples, ash trees, and Virginia pines are bright and sharp under the moonlight.

As sharp as the silver stars.

The room looks like it has sprung to life.

It’s beautiful like the dark and epic version of Prokofiev’s “Dance of the Nights” fromRomeo and Juliet, which is gripping me by the throat.

But it’s not as darkly beautiful as the man, who is sitting at the piano playing the tune.

Swan appears to be as mesmerized as I am.

As if the music has possessed me, I push the door wider and wander into the room, needing to be closer to the pianist.

“JuJu,” Swan whispers, frantically.

Then he hisses out a sharp breath, baring his canines. He prowls into the room after me. He leans with crossed arms against the wall next to the door.

I take another step next to the pianist.

The man doesn’t even notice. He’s too hyperfocused on his music.

He’s lost in it.

I understand. I’m the same with my dancing.

Yet it’s not only the music that’s mesmerized me.

The man himself has too.

He’s transcendent.

I’ve never seen a man who looks as ethereal.

He’s older than me, possibly in his late twenties. He’s suave and masculine with gleaming, wavy brunet hair, strong jaw, and forest green eyes.

He’s wearing a velvet suit that matches his sparkling, intelligent eyes with a waistcoat that’s covered in gold threaded fox designs.

Several of the buttons on the waistcoat are undone.

An Oxford cravat is loosely tied around his neck.

When the man flings back his head as he plays, his curls also fly back. I’m spellbound by the way that he launches himself offthe bench to reach for the chords with as much energy as Swan dances.

And the same talent.

Fuck, he’s breathtaking.

I forget to breathe.

I’ve never watched anyone play like this.

The man’s a virtuoso.

And he’s also a male Omega.

But in this industry, there are no male pianists at his level in America. The classical music world is even more traditional than the ballet one.

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