Read Online Dark Memories (The Phantom Diaries, #2) by Kailin Gow - Free Book Online
Authors: Kailin Gow
Ads: Link
handsome and wealthy. He had the power to open every door to the arts, high society and a life of leisure. It was conceivable that Annette be attracted to this great power; what girl wouldn’t be?
And Aaron… his love for Annette was evident. Not only his admiration for the great talent she possessed, but for her heart and soul.
Had that last glimpse of her been a trick of light? Had it truly been Annette smiling so victoriously and I hadn’t the courage to face the truth? The pain of knowing she could possibly love him was unbearable and my heart ached with every step I took in my chamber.
Seeing her clothes and personal affects strewn about my home only reminded me of how much she meant to me. I picked up the shirt she’d worn the night before and remembered the kiss of her lips. Feeling heady and hungry for her, I brought the garment to my nostrils and inhaled the remnants of her fragrance.
My entire body responded and my resolve to help her increased in intensity.
Though there was a possibility that Annette had truly fallen in love with Aaron, that she had been in complete control during their encounter, I had to consider the possibility of Kristine’s part in all of it.
I glimpsed the small white box on my dresser and quickly reached for it. Remembering my inability to touch the crimson cross within, I sought my leather gloves and hoped it would be enough.
In a fog of plans, trepidation and fear, I hurried back to Annette’s dressing room. The halls were a rush of preparation, of last minute adjustments and exquisite anticipation for the night’s show.
My polite knock at the door was meant to sooth Annette’s fears and reassure her of my calmed anger. “Annette,” I said in a hushed and remorseful tone. “May I please come in?”
Silence.
My heart raced as I feared she’d already joined the cast for their pre-show ritual.
Then the doorknob slowly turned and the door opened a crack. Her eyes, soft and fearful gazed at me.
“I owe you a great apology, Annette.” I looked for traces of Kristine and could not find any. Who was I now facing?
She opened the door and allowed me in. “I don’t have much time, Eric. Everyone will be waiting for me.”
The rich and deep green of her gown played exquisitely against her pale skin and dark hair. Now pinned up as Kristine would have worn it years ago, she was a vision to behold.
“I allowed my anger to get the better of me.”
She turned to the mirror and examined her reflection with a pleased eye. A glimmer of Kristine’s vanity showed through, empowering me more.
“You’ve a right to love whomever you choose and I must abide by your choice.”
Accustomed to seeing me angered to the point of madness, Kristine drew her lips down in a disappointed frown for a brief moment. She turned to me with a flame of treachery in her eyes. “I’m happy to see you’ve come to your senses, Eric. It was never my intention to hurt you, to lead you to believe that you and I could…”
Though I knew I was taking part in a play, a ruse and that this was just theatrics, my heart tightened and pained as she uttered the words.
“We’ve never truly had a future together.”
“Of course. I’ve known all along.” I gazed into her eyes, clearly seeing Kristine’s disappointment at my continued calm and acceptance of our fate. While my fingers pried open the small box in my pocket and scooped up Joana’s cross, I brought my free hand to her neck and gently fingered the skin I’d recently abused. “Please tell me I didn’t truly harm you.”
“I feel fine, Eric. You frightened me more than anything.”
“Let me see.” I tilted her chin up and saw the red markings where my thumb had pressed into her throat. I flinched. Trailing my fingers over the tender skin, I watched her relax and close her eyes.
Inside my pocket, my fingers worked to have the chain ready to be clasped about her neck. I inhaled deeply, and leaned down to
And Aaron… his love for Annette was evident. Not only his admiration for the great talent she possessed, but for her heart and soul.
Had that last glimpse of her been a trick of light? Had it truly been Annette smiling so victoriously and I hadn’t the courage to face the truth? The pain of knowing she could possibly love him was unbearable and my heart ached with every step I took in my chamber.
Seeing her clothes and personal affects strewn about my home only reminded me of how much she meant to me. I picked up the shirt she’d worn the night before and remembered the kiss of her lips. Feeling heady and hungry for her, I brought the garment to my nostrils and inhaled the remnants of her fragrance.
My entire body responded and my resolve to help her increased in intensity.
Though there was a possibility that Annette had truly fallen in love with Aaron, that she had been in complete control during their encounter, I had to consider the possibility of Kristine’s part in all of it.
I glimpsed the small white box on my dresser and quickly reached for it. Remembering my inability to touch the crimson cross within, I sought my leather gloves and hoped it would be enough.
In a fog of plans, trepidation and fear, I hurried back to Annette’s dressing room. The halls were a rush of preparation, of last minute adjustments and exquisite anticipation for the night’s show.
My polite knock at the door was meant to sooth Annette’s fears and reassure her of my calmed anger. “Annette,” I said in a hushed and remorseful tone. “May I please come in?”
Silence.
My heart raced as I feared she’d already joined the cast for their pre-show ritual.
Then the doorknob slowly turned and the door opened a crack. Her eyes, soft and fearful gazed at me.
“I owe you a great apology, Annette.” I looked for traces of Kristine and could not find any. Who was I now facing?
She opened the door and allowed me in. “I don’t have much time, Eric. Everyone will be waiting for me.”
The rich and deep green of her gown played exquisitely against her pale skin and dark hair. Now pinned up as Kristine would have worn it years ago, she was a vision to behold.
“I allowed my anger to get the better of me.”
She turned to the mirror and examined her reflection with a pleased eye. A glimmer of Kristine’s vanity showed through, empowering me more.
“You’ve a right to love whomever you choose and I must abide by your choice.”
Accustomed to seeing me angered to the point of madness, Kristine drew her lips down in a disappointed frown for a brief moment. She turned to me with a flame of treachery in her eyes. “I’m happy to see you’ve come to your senses, Eric. It was never my intention to hurt you, to lead you to believe that you and I could…”
Though I knew I was taking part in a play, a ruse and that this was just theatrics, my heart tightened and pained as she uttered the words.
“We’ve never truly had a future together.”
“Of course. I’ve known all along.” I gazed into her eyes, clearly seeing Kristine’s disappointment at my continued calm and acceptance of our fate. While my fingers pried open the small box in my pocket and scooped up Joana’s cross, I brought my free hand to her neck and gently fingered the skin I’d recently abused. “Please tell me I didn’t truly harm you.”
“I feel fine, Eric. You frightened me more than anything.”
“Let me see.” I tilted her chin up and saw the red markings where my thumb had pressed into her throat. I flinched. Trailing my fingers over the tender skin, I watched her relax and close her eyes.
Inside my pocket, my fingers worked to have the chain ready to be clasped about her neck. I inhaled deeply, and leaned down to
Similar Books
