Page 6 of The Forgotten Life of Ella Moon
“You have?”
“Yes.”Thanesighed, laying the dress over the back of the chair. “Thatis whyI’mhere.”
“You came all this way for a dress?”Hislaughter raked across her nerves.Shecouldn’t tell if she loved the sound or if she hated it.
“No,”Thanesaid, walking over to the small liquor cart. “Wouldyou like a drink?”
Yes,her head screamed.No,she yelled back.Thiswas wrong.Sheknew that, but she’d stay all night in his bed if he asked her to.Godsbelow, what has gotten into you?Shecould hear her own eyes rolling. “Ishould get back.Ailith—Imean,Mrs.A—she will need my help.”
“I’m sure your mother will understand.Ms.Moon, is it?”Thanepoured two glasses of whiskey and handed one toElla. “Thatis a very peculiar last name.Idon't believeIknow that family.”
Even though she shouldn’t, she took the drink. “Mrs.Aisn’t my mother, and that isn’t my last name.”Moonwas the last nameAilithhad given her.
“Oh?”Thanetook a drink before he reached for one of his large bags. “Shecalled you her daughter.Areyou notEllaMoon?”
Ella noted the way he moved around the room.ThaneTenebrisdidn’t belong in a drab room like this.Hisexpensive silk shirt and fine linen trousers stuck out against the threadbare rugs and the simple, undyed muslin curtains.Thesilver on his cuff links clashed with the tarnished brass headboard.Hisbeauty would not blend in with the simple looks of those around him.Hedid not belong to this world.
“I am but…”Shecaught a hint of the scent again.Memoriestried to push through the darkness.
“My apologies.Ididn’t mean to pry,”Thanesaid, looking atElla.
Why was he so familiar?Sheknew what his next movements would be.He’dbite his bottom lip before letting out the breath he was holding.Andas if he heard her, he did it.Thisaction turned into a memory that wasn’t clear enough to see.Itwas like watching people moving behind clouded glass.Itwas just shadows that faded quickly like all the others.
“Ella?”Thane'shandsome face showed concern.
Ella blinked, trying to remember what he had asked.Herthoughts scattered when he looked at her like that.Likehe understood her. “Um,I’msorry.It’sbeen a long day.Whatwas the question?”
“Your last name.”
“Oh yes.”Ellatook a sip of the whiskey, hoping it would clear her head. “Iwas found on the night of theMoonFestival.Itwas eitherMoonorWillowsinceIwas also found under a willow tree.Itcould’ve beenFestivaltoo.ButMrs.Adidn’t thinkEllaFestivalhad the same ring to it.”Thathad beenMrs.A’sjoke the first few weeksEllahad been here.Thanedidn’t see the humor in that, and at this point, neither did she.
“You were found?Wereyou lost?”Thanestepped closer to the window, closing the curtains.
“I still am,” she mumbled, taking another sip of the smooth whiskey.Evenif she wanted to hide her past, there were plenty of people inRivertonwho would gladly tell him the story of how she was found.Mostliked to embellish their stories, adding things to make themselves look like the hero.OrmakeEllaout to be the villain.
“Tell me, how does one find such a beautiful woman?Isthere somewhereIshould look?”
The whiskey warmed her belly.Itsfingers crept up the back of her head, taking with it her inhibitions.Lillianhad been right.Therewas something about him, but it wasn’t ominous. “Areyou looking for someone?”
“I am.”Thanestepped closer. “Ilost someone.SomeoneIlove very much.”
She didn’t step away from him.Herroots curled into the wood.Hermind filled with images of him tangled in the sheets, the moon highlighting the hard planes of his back.He’dsleep on his stomach, one arm tucked under the pillow, one leg bent.Hisdark hair was a tangled mess of curls and waves.
Gods above, what was wrong with her?Shetore her gaze from him and looked into the glass, expecting to see the shimmering residue of a spell.Sissysaid spells left that.Ellahad no idea if that was true, but what else could it be?Whatwould make her say these things and act this way around a man?Avery handsome man.Butjust a mortal man.
“How did you lose her?”Hermouth spoke the words before she could stop herself.Dammit,Ella, shut up.Thatis none of your business.
“I was stupid.”Thanelooked at the dress.Hissadness seemed to fill the space between them.Itfelt heavy on her chest.ButunlikeClara’sorLillian’sneeds,Elladidn’t hate his.Shewanted to fix it.Sheset the glass of whiskey down and stepped away from him before she did something stupid.Likeask him to kiss her.
Do you know why?WhydoIwant to beg you to kiss me?Shelooked up at him, pleading he’d know the reason why.Thesight of him in the low light made her heart break.
He turned to her, his eyes searching her face.Theylanded on her mouth. “Becauseof a broken heart.”
Ella swallowed hard, backing away from him.Hecouldn’t have heard her. “Whatdid you say?”
“I said becauseIbroke her heart,”Thanesaid quickly before draining his glass.
“Right.Um…”Shelooked around the room for some magic trinket that kept her there, causing her to think these thoughts.Thatwas the only thing that made any sense. “Ishould go see to the… um… bread.Yes, the bread.”Sheswallowed. “Willyou be taking your meal in your room or with the rest of the guests?”
