Page 41 of Empire of Ache & Ruin

“I’m going to miss you.” Sadness pricks my heart.

“Me too, sweet girl. You’ll be home in no time.” She smiles. “Now get your things, Nico is waiting in the car to drive you to the Centre.”

“I’ll see you tonight.” I give her a quick hug and head upstairs to grab my gym bag.

I meet Nico outside. As soon as he sees me, he rushes to open the car door for me. “Good morning, Miss Davis.”

“Good morning.” I smile and climb in the back seat. “Big day.”

“So I hear.” He winks at me then shuts the door.

During the ride into the city, I try to write in my journal, but every thought I have isn’t something I can put down on paper. I can’t stop thinking about the pending auction. Dad said I shouldn’t worry about it for now since he asked them to let me finish the commitment I made to my ballet company.I do worry about it because in a few weeks, I’m going to be required to have sex with a complete stranger. I never imagined my first time would be with someone I just met.

My pulse quickens, and I glance out the window, chasing all those scary thoughts out of my mind. I focus on the wintry landscape instead and smile. February always brings a lot of snow. It’s my favorite because it makes the woods behind our house feel so peaceful. I lean my head on the car window and close my eyes, feeling myself doze off.

“We’re here.” Nico shifts his body to look at me.

“Thank you.” I rub my eyes. “I didn’t realize I was so tired.”

“I’m glad you were able to get some rest. Good luck.” He dips his head.

“Thank you.” I climb out of the car and head for the side door.

Inside, the place is a mad house. Several dancers are on the floor along the cinder-block wall stretching while others rush down the corridor to the practice rooms in the back. The excitement of opening night is palpable.

“You.” Paul points a finger at me. “Hair and makeup now.”

“Am I late?” I fish my phone out of my gym bag. When I see it’s not even call time yet, I show him my phone. “I’m on time.”

“Just go get ready so we can do one more run-through before showtime.” He beams at me.

Unlike me, this is his second year playing Prince Siegfried’s role. In the last three months, he has been a great mentor and friend. I go to hug him tight.

“What’s that for?” He narrows his eyes at me.

“Just feeling grateful.” I’m going to miss him so much.

I still haven’t told anyone that after Swan Lake finishes this weekend, I’m not coming back for a whole six months. Who knows if my ballet company will take me back after such a long break. But there’s no way around that. It’s what Dad agreed to.

“I’ll see you out there.” I wave and push open the door to my dressing room.

A giggle escapes my lips when I’m greeted by an array of bouquets, covering half the floor space. For a second, I take it all in, then set my gym bag on my vanity counter. That’s when I see it. The crystal swan Hunter gifted me when Pierre announced I would be taking the lead at this year’s presentation of Swan Lake. I pick it up and put it against the light to see the kaleidoscope of colors. I hadn’t thought about his gift in months. Did he leave it here for me to find?

When I glance up at the mirror, I see Archer standing behind me. “I hate you.” I rise to my feet to hate on him properly. I haven’t seen him since Chuck’s birthday. I figured his friend would tell him Dad went to the Crucible and made a deal with them, where both he and I agreed to an auction. He has to know about the auction. How could he not? A part of me wants Archer to reach out to me and tell me not to go through with it. But his silence has proven that he doesn’t care.

I turn around and lean on the vanity counter. Closing my eyes, I clearly see Archer cupping my sex the way he did that night in my bedroom. I place my hand over his, feeling the hard crystal jam into my tights and my pussy lips. A moan escapes my lips. Why does Archer have this effect on me? Even in my dreams, he makes me ache for him. I hate him and want him at the same time.

“You want me?” he whispers in my ear.

I shake my head, squeezing my eyes shut and ramming the head of the swan down my slit. My head falls back. I run my hand over my breast and up around my neck. It lands right on the spot where he sucked on my skin so long ago.

“Archer,” I whisper his name as the crystal sparks waves of pleasure at my core.

I can’t stop myself from falling for the memory of his touch and the desire that’s always there lurking in the darkest recesses of my mind. Archer is always there. I turn to face the mirror, anchoring the swan at the edge of the vanity so I can rub against it.

“Oh.” My cheeks flush red, and my pupils dilate making the room seem brighter. “Archer.” I let his name play on my lips freely. “I still hate you.”

I glance up, rolling my hips, getting myself to the edge of my desire. The heat swirls around my needy bud, and I know I’m almost there. My taut nipples press against my leotard with each labored breath. I lick a bead of sweat off my upper lip. So good. He’s so good. I make to soothe my aching nipples, but I fall forward instead and brace my hand on the smooth surface, so I don’t lose contact with the swan.

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