Page 42 of Empire of Ache & Ruin

“Paloma, fifteen minutes.” Paul knocks three times on my door.

“Yeah.” I step away from the vanity, panting, while my clit swells and pulses in frustration. “I’m…I’ll be there shortly,” I call out.

When I peek at the mirror again, Archer is gone. “What the fuck is wrong with you?” I say to my reflection, half expecting her to answer. To tell me why I can’t stop thinking about someone I’ll never see again.

I drop my gaze to the crystal still in my hand. I make a fist and then shove it in my gym bag before I plop myself down on the stool and get started on my makeup. I tend to my knee next. At this point, the pain is there constantly. I rub it, wincing when I swipe over the joint.

After I leave my dressing room, the day goes by in a flash of warm-ups, more practicing, wardrobe changes, and re-touching my hair and makeup. Before I know it, I’m standing next to Pierre at the side of the stage waiting to make my first appearance as the Swan Queen.

I peek around the curtain and immediately spot Sole. She’s beaming, practically bouncing in her seat as she admires the other dancers’ flawless performance across the stage. To the left, up high, Dad’s box is empty. Where is he? My gaze falls back to the first row, and that’s when I see him. Archer is here, front and center. He’s wearing a dark, three-piece suit, looking more beautiful than I remember.

“Ready?” Pierre squeezes my fingers. When I nod, he gestures for me to go on.

The euphoria is like nothing else. I hit every turn just right, every leap to perfection. I don’t look up, but I hope Dad is watching me. This dream has been long coming. I’m finally here. And it’s perfect. I’m perfect, and Dad’s not here to see it.

“Ready to become Odile?” Paul holds my wrist and picks me up over his head. When I come down with grace, I never thought I had in me, he says, “Go then.”

I leave the stage and change into the black swan. When I return, I allow myself a single glance at Archer before I focus on seducing my prince. The entire ballet is over too quickly. Everything hurts by the time the curtain drops, but I couldn’t be happier. Tears stream down my cheek when Pierre meets me halfway and hugs me.

“Perfect,” he says over the applause beyond the heavy curtains. “Listen to them.”

I take the stage one last time with Paul and Pierre to soak in our standing ovation. “Thank you.” I place my hand on my chest then dash backstage.

On my way to the dressing room, other cast members stop to congratulate me. I thank them and keep going before my knee completely craps out on me. I can’t stop smiling, even though my body is screaming in agony. Once I’m in my room, I take a seat to get off my knee.

A knock makes me look up from my leg.

“Come in,” I sit back and dip my palm against my rib cage to ease the cramp there.

Dad enters carrying a huge bouquet of roses. “You were beautiful. Absolutely beautiful.”

“Thank you.” I get up and rush to hug him. “I didn’t see you out there.”

“I was a bit late taking care of business. But I wouldn’t have missed this for the world.” He squeezes me tight. “These are for you.” He hands me the flowers.

I put them on the floor with the others and turn to face him. “Where should we go to celebrate?” I beam at him.

His smile fades and then he gestures to the vanity stool. “Sit down, Paloma. There’s something you should know.”

“You’re scaring me, Dad.” I do as he asked. “What is it?”

“I didn’t have the heart to tell you earlier. You don’t know how much it pains me to let you go.” The space between his eyebrows wrinkles. “The auction cannot be postponed any longer. It has to be tonight.”

“Tonight?” I glance up at him. “But it’s opening night. I mean, I have another show tomorrow morning. And the next day. I can’t leave.”

“You have to. I already spoke with Pierre. He understands.” He clears his throat. “I explained to him that your body can’t take daily rhythm, the abuse is taking a toll on you.”

“Dad, you shouldn’t have told him that. It’s a lie. My body can handle it.” I rise to my feet, swallowing hard to hide the pain that shoots up my hip.

“What’s done is done.” He offers me his hand. “We must go now.”

“Okay. I guess.” I glance around the room, making a quick inventory of all that needs to be loaded in the car. “Can you call Nico?”

“We’re not leaving the theatre yet.” He takes my hand and pulls me to his side. “The auction will take place here.”

“Here?” I let out a chuckle in disbelief. “In front of my friends?”

“No. The theater is being cleared out as we speak. It should be ready soon. But we need you back on stage.” He gestures toward the door. “I will escort you. I will be with you every step of the way.”

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