Page 16 of Secrets & Desires
One of the other students was looking at her enviously. “Damn, you must be goodinbed.”
“Tony.” Charvi glared at the student. “That’senough.”
“Sorry.”
Livia shook her head. “It’s okay. FourSteinways,though?”
Charvi looked at the other students. “Give us the room, will you?” After they had gone, Charvi sat Livia down on the new piano stool. “You look like you’re about to collapse. Sit,breathe.”
“I just…I mean, what? What doesthismean?”
Charvi nodded, but she didn’t smile “I think it means he’ssmitten.”
“This is too much, Charvi. I mean, god…it’s beentwoweeks. Not that I’m not happy for the university, but…” She opened the lid of the piano and began to press down on the keys. “God, listen to that tone…” She began to play her composition, listening to the deep bass of Swedish steel and copper wire, the treble so sweet and pure. She played through all she had written so far—twice—forgetting Charvi was in the room. Closing her eyes and moving her fingers over the smooth spruce keys, she lost herself in the composition. Livia thought not of the notes she had to play, but of Nox, and of making love with him, the fun and laughter they had shared over the last few days. They had become almost inseparable in such ashorttime…
She sighed and finished playing, opening her eyes. Charvi gave her a round of applause. “That, sister, is coming alongnicely.”
Livia grinned. “Mypianoporn?”
Charvi laughed. “I don’t think we’ll call it that in the program. Do you have anothertitle?”
Livia flushed. “Night.”
Charvi sighed. “I guess it’s no use now to ask you to be cautious withthisman.”
Livia felt stung. “Charvi…what is it? Why are you so nervous about my relationship with NoxRenaud?”
Charvi rubbed her eyes. “It’s not Nox himself as it is the people who surround him. I worry about themaffectingyou.”
Livia snorted. “Charvi, I can look after myself in that respect. Why is it I think you’re keeping something from me? Tell me straight…is Nox dangerous? Tell me now before I fall in love with him, because that is a very realpossibility.”
Charvi looked upset, and as if she were about to say something, but then relented. “Just be cautious around his friends. If Nox is anything like Gabriella, then I wish you two nothing but happiness. She was the best person Ieverknew.”
“Then he is like his mother.” Livia said softly, trying to keep the tone of reproach out of hervoice and Charvi smiledapologetically.
“In that case…” Charvi patted her shoulder. “He might have donated the instruments, but you had already started to write that beautiful piece about him, and now you’ve given it his name. Have you invited him to therecital?”
“Not yet, but I will. I just have to make sure it’sperfect.”
“Youwill.”
Livia looked at her watch. “I have to gothankhim.”
“Thank him for all of us, would you? Obviously, the Dean will be writing to him to express his gratitude, but from me, from the music department and faculty, saythankyou.”
Livia hugged her teacher. “I will. And you know, I think he’d love to see youagain.”
Charvi’s smile faded. “I’m not sure I’m ready. Gabriella was like a sister to me. Her death still hurts and I…” She sighed. “I’m scared that if Nox has grown to look like his father too much, I might flip out on him and say all the terrible things I wanted to say to Tynan. So, not yet, please. Let me work my way uptoit.”
Livia nodded, sadness making her chest hurt. One moment in time and so many lives were wrecked. “Of course. Let me just say… Nox is a wonderful man. You won’t find a more generous or kind andopenman.”
“I believe you. I just need timeisall.”
Roan stared at Nox,who looked back steadily. “After all that,just‘no?’”
“Roan, you knew this was a long shot coming in here. If you need money, just ask, but we both know you’re not cut out to be in thisbusiness.”
“It’s food importing!” Roan threw his hands up in the air and stood up. Nox could see he was agitated and shot a glance at a silent Sandor. Sandor cleared histhroat.
