Betrayal: A Dark Urban Fantasy Royalty Romance (Immortals of Indriell Book 5)

Chapter 4

CHAPTER FOUR

ALLIE

Cleveland, October

“Ouch.” Allie waved her hand in the air to dispel the sting of hot wax on her thumb.

How many times are you going to do that? Aidan’s thoughts were still hazy with sleep. It was early morning in Germany and the middle of the night for Allie. Do you have any idea what it’s like to wake up from a sound sleep thinking you’ve set yourself on fire?

Sorry. Allie tapped the surface of her wax sculpture with the hot needle of her wood-burning tool. I didn’t mean to disturb you. She usually kept better track of the time for both of them. It was hard work, trying not to interrupt Aidan at important moments with the six-hour time difference to consider. Since he’d left for school, they’d honed their ability to shut each other out to perfection. Now their thoughts only mingled when they wanted them to.

I’m never sad about losing a little sleep if it means I get to talk to you. What are you making, babe? And why hot wax? You trying to tell me you’re into that?

You wish. She snorted. She loved flirty, sleepy Aidan the most. It’s a model of a dragon for a bronze casting.

So, you’re making a bronze sculpture with wax? Why? Their mental connection allowed her to see the adorable frown creasing his brow, and she wanted to run her fingers through his sleep-tousled hair. In moments like this, their telepathic link made the miles disappear, allowing them to really see each other in their mind’s eye.

Well, I’m making it out of wax first, putting all the detail into each scale and claw. And then I’ll spend at least two weeks dipping it in slurry—a thin plaster kind of mixture to build up a shell around it until every nook and cranny is covered in a thick casing of hard plaster. But before I do that, I have to create vents using tubes of wax.

Sounds like a lot of work. When does the bronze part happen?

It is a crap ton of work. Allie tapped the hot needle to the wax one more time to get the last of her dragon scales just right. When the whole thing is covered in plaster with tons of vents and openings, it will go in the kiln to melt the wax.

So, you’re going to destroy what you’re making now? How does that even make sense?

The wax is just a tool to build the plaster mold. Once all the wax drains out of the mold and the vent tubes, it goes back into the kiln to harden the shell and clean out any residual wax. Then it get’s buried in sand while the bronze is melting in the crucible. Once the bronze is hot lava ready, it takes several people to carry the crucible and pour the liquid bronze into the molds.

Oh, I get it, the bronze takes place of the wax and you’re left with a dragon. But if the wax runs out when it’s first fired, how does the bronze not run out, too?

That’s why it’s buried in sand. Allie turned her wood burner off. The sand keeps the metal inside the mold until it hardens and cools. Then we dig it up.

And then you just c***k it out of the mold and it’s done?

I wish. Allie laughed. I’ll have to beat the hell out of this thing to get it out of the mold. I’m kind of looking forward to that part. After all the hours of backbreaking work to get this thing cast, it still won’t be done. I’ll have to scrub all the plaster off with rough steel wool and cut the bronze tubes from the vents. Then I have to grind those spots down until they’re smooth. And then I might finally finish the damn thing.

Allie and power tools? Aidan rolled onto his side. That sounds like a terrifying combination.

I am not a spaz, Aidan Loukas. At least not when it comes to art. I’ve used a grinder before, thank you very much.

I’m glad I’m a music major. It’s hard work, but it will never require the use of power tools.

Don’t you have that piece due today? Allie asked.

Yeah, I’m not happy with it, though. I’m not sure I achieved the assignment.

Are you ever going to let me hear it?

Sure, let me get my violin. He groaned as he rolled out of bed.

Fitzy’s going to kill you for playing at six in the morning.

My brother’s getting used to the noise at all hours of the day and night. He goes around mumbling about “creatives” like it’s an expletive.

Let’s hear it then. I’m sure it’s better than you think.

Shouldn’t you be in bed, baby? It’s late, and I can feel you’re tired.

I am exhausted. I don’t know how mortals survive college without cracking.

Well, most people don’t do double majors in fine art and art history. Go get in bed, and I’ll play for you.

Allie tiptoed into her room, careful not to make too much noise to wake Darius. When they first moved into their little cottage near campus, Liam and Darius remodeled the master bedroom into a Syntrophos suite. They had their own individual spaces but never closed the sliding doors between their rooms. Neither one of them liked to be apart.

“I’m wide awake, Red,” Darius said.

He was in bed reading. “Can’t sleep?”

“Not until you do, apparently. It feels weird falling asleep alone, even when you’re just in the other room.”

“I’m headed to bed now,” she whispered. “Night, Darius.”

It’s super weird you two are sharing a room. I would be totally jealous if I didn’t know anything about Syntrophos. Not that I’m not jealous. I still am, but I get it. Sort of. I’m trying, anyway.

I know it’s difficult, Aidan. But I love you for trying so hard.

Love you, too, babe. Now listen and tell me if I’ve butchered this piece beyond repair.

Allie climbed into her bed, letting the muscles of her neck and back relax from the tension of the last hours bent over her sculpture. As Aidan began to play, she smiled. She would recognize the voice of his violin in a crowd of violinists. It was distinctly his, and it was her favorite sound in the whole world.

She listened, letting the music wash over her, hearing the tone of his violin and the emotions he poured into it in a way only he could do. Aidan always left a piece of himself in the music he played. The melody was familiar but with an unfamiliar twist. It lulled her into a tranquil state of mind. She would sleep well tonight.

So what do you think? he asked when he’d finished.

It’s beautiful as always.

I think you’re biased, baby. You have no idea how fierce the competition is here.

I have an idea. She thought of the insane level of talent surrounding her as an art student at one of the best art schools in the country. She couldn’t imagine what it would be like at the level Aidan was competing.

Put your critical ears on. You have such a great ear for music without the complication of all the technical BS to cloud your judgment. Your opinion is important.

It’s Dvorák, but not in the traditional sense. It sounds like Humoresque, but it’s almost like there’s a touch of Coldplay in there, too. Am I losing it? That can’t be right. A frown creased her forehead.

Yes, you totally got it. His grin was infectious. This is for my modern music class. We’re supposed to create an arrangement of a masterpiece from the Romance period with a subtle contemporary influence, and this whole time I’ve felt like I’ve butchered Dvorák beyond repair.

You nailed the assignment, Aidan. It’s perfect, so stop obsessing and go wow your peers with your mad skills.

Aidan snorted. You’re adorable, Lex. I always thought conservatory would be a breeze because I’m so far ahead of my mortal peers. But they make me work for it. There is some amazing talent here.

Aidan … When are you coming home? And that was the bad thing about their telepathic link. She couldn’t always filter her thoughts. Never mind me, she rushed to say. You know I just miss you. She tried so hard not to make him feel guilty for staying in Germany longer than expected. It was selfish of her to begrudge him anything he wanted for himself and his music.

I’ll be there for Christmas, Lex. I promise.

I don’t mean to pester you. I’m so happy seeing you live your dream. You deserve this time, Aidan.

I miss you, Allie. More than you could possibly know. I do love it here, but I’m so ready to come home.

Allie constantly worried about him. When Aidan left, her clairvoyance had reared its ugly head, telling her this separation would last years, not months. It was ludicrous. Her gift was rarely so cut and dry; Allie refused to believe it would actually happen. Not when there wasn’t a single piece of evidence telling her things were headed that way. She could see his mind. He was just as homesick for her as she was for him. Still, the idea that some unseen force might keep them apart made her a panicky mess inside. A mess she tried to shield him from.

Aidan simply would not do that to her. Not after all they’d been through. Her gift was wrong.

Then why didn’t he come home at the end of summer like he promised? She cringed at the errant thought. Sorry, I didn’t mean that either. When he’d told her he wanted to stay for just one more semester, Allie had fully supported his decision, but it scared her.

It’s okay, Lex. I’ll be home before you know it, and then you can help me find a place near Oberlin that’s not too far from your school.

You can totally move in with me and Dare. Quinn, Sasha and Santi are all down for it.

Well, those three make it work, but me, you, and Darius will need to take it slow considering your reaction every time we’re all in the same room together.

You’re probably right. Before Aidan left, she tended to leave the room whenever the three of them were alone. But that was months ago. She understood her relationship with Darius so much more now. It helps now that I know not to feel guilty for my bond with Darius. It’s not romantic. He’s just my ride or die guy.

Nice way to put it.

I know this isn’t easy. Allie winced, hoping she hadn’t screwed up yet another attempt to explain to Aidan how she felt about his brother.

I’m trying. He sighed. It’s just … I know you love me, but I want to be your ride or die guy.

You’re my, I can’t live without you guy.

Okay, say more things like that. His smile warmed her insides and she knew they’d be okay. Good night, baby, sweet dreams.

Love you. Have a good day. Allie rolled over and closed her eyes with a smile. At least they had this.

“Can we go to sleep now?” Darius asked through a yawn.

“Sorry, er … phone call’s over, night, Dare. Love you.” Humming the last few bars of Aidan’s song, Allie fell asleep, content and confident in their love despite the physical distance between them.