by Stella Price
They all laughed a seriously hearty laugh and as she recovered she lowered her voice as what she has to ask was not for everyone’s ears. “So you guys knew before hand that she was… is…”
Winter nodded. “She doesn’t hide shit, and being that Rhys is all sixth sense and all and I got my own tricks, We kinda just trusted each other. But you’ll learn that supes can normally figure out who is normal and who has that lil bit extra.”
“And you guys are so open…”
“Not really,” Rhys said and tipped his glass to his mouth. “It’s more like it’s on a need to know basis. And since your family now, you need to know.”
“Yeah just don’t ask us to perform.” Winter said and smirked.
Saffron liked the idea of being family. With other jobs, it was just that, a job. She went with the band, worked for the band, and left the band when it was all said and done. Family was a foreign idea when dealing with the music industry, especially since everything was so fickle.
“Don’t worry, I can handle it, but the majority of shit isn’t something I wanna tangle with. After seeing the aftermath of Dante blowing up Xxieda’s iPod, I think the less I see with my own eyes the better.”
Nyx laughed and shook her head. “Yeah the Ardesco is volatile, but I guess that’s why they get along so well…”
“That or the fact that Xxieda gave him an offer he couldn’t refuse.” Chandler said and grinned.
“So who is up for desert?” Winter asked as they came by and picked up the plates.
Saffron shook her head. “You just had me ingest almost sixteen ounces of rare meat and Honey bock. I think I’m at my limit.”
Rhys leaned in and nipped her earlobe. “All the better to work off you tonight. You needed the protein.”
Saffron shivered and leaned into him. “What makes you think you’re getting lucky tonight mister?” she asked him quietly.
He gave her a sexy look. “I have full faith in my abilities to seduce you.”
“After a meal like this I just wanna curl up in bed and pass out.”
“We could do that too…” he frown and she cocked her head.
“What?”
Rhys’ forehead creased a second, his eyes went hard and then sad. Saffron grabbed his hand under the table and squeezed. “I don’t think I like that face.”
He recovered quickly and smiled at her, but it didn’t quite meet his eyes. “I’m fine.” He turned to Chandler. “You guys got this? I think I need my room, bathroom and possibly some antacid.”
Chandler laughed. “Lightweight. One of these days you’ll embrace all that beef has to offer.”
Rhys gave him a wan smile and stood. “Night guys.” He offered his hand to Saffron and she took it so he could haul her to her feet. Nyx smiled at Saffron.
“What time we up tomorrow boss?”
Saffron, quite occupied with Rhy’s change in attitude waved her hand at the noncommittally. “Eight, cool?”
A chorus of ‘yes’ came from the table and they were off, Rhys gripping her hand as they walked out of the back room and out to the lobby and the room beyond.
“Rhys, baby…” She said as they rounded a corner. He was quiet, Holding her hand as they walked, the pad of his thumb rolling circles on her hand.
“Rhys…stop. What the hell is going on?” she dug her heels in.
They were stopped outside the room she had taken as theirs and shook her head. “Please?”
His hand slipped out of hers and he turned to her and leaned against the wall, eyes downcast. He scuffed at the floor a minute and then looked up at her and sighed. “I just realized something.”
She gave him a look that clearly said elaborate. “And?”
Rhys lifted his head and gave her a sheepish smile, a deep blush giving his cheeks a rosy glow. “Well… I realized I haven’t just slept with a girl, you know just held her while we sleep or anything, since Phaedra.”
Saffron smiled and went to him and kissed him softly on the lips. “I’m sorry.” She said with all sincerity. “I didn’t..”
“It’s okay Saff. Just a big realization. Shit… Come on…” he said and took her hand again and opened their door with the keycard. They slipped into the room and he turned on one of the dim bedside table lights and went to her to kiss her again. “trust me Saff, Okay? Just trust me.”
Chapter 13
Right from the start you were a challenge to me. –The Movielife
Bauhaus lulled her into a state of calm, music and the lyrics bringing her back to a time when it was all about black eyeliner and short skirts… Well it was still about that but not with the connotations of Goth fantasy anymore. Still, she loved it, and it helped to center her, especially now that shit was going weird.
Rhys. Lord Rhys was going to really be a problem. Waking up with him wrapped around her holding her like a many treasured thing and they barely even made out the night before… shit just got real.
She liked the man he was. She liked that he romanced her with simple things like bumper cars and sodas. She liked that last night he was determined to make it the night without making love to her. No, really she didn’t like it, Nothing was as visceral as sex with him, but it let her know that it could happen, and what they had was more than just sex.
Normally she would be seriously happy about it, but there were just too many issues to deal with. Fucking drama. If Xxieda found out, she was canned, and there went all hopes of her career going anywhere stable. And he talked about her meeting his family, and then that creepy ass dream… One she was pretty sure wasn’t totally a dream. No it couldn’t be, not when so many supernatural beings were in the mix and Rhys himself could talk to the dead.
She gave a little shiver as she recalled the vivid scene from the night before, concerned that she remember every little nuance, down to the scent of gardenias coming through the open window of the room she was in.
The room was dark, but done in red sheer curtains; a large bed dominated the room. The aforementioned curtains blew in the breeze coming in, softly at first. She had traversed the floor of the room, the black carpet lush and soft underfoot as she went towards the portal towards the outside. Light spilled from the open window, making the red curtains glitter in their sheerness, the color a ruby in the brilliant light.
She wasn’t alone.
Someone stood there, tall, blonde, beautiful, and giving her a look of daggers. The body in the window leaned against the door frame, assessing Saffron.
“Why you?” the woman asked and picked at her nails.
Saffron frowned. “Excuse me?” she asked, her voice booming in the quiet of the room.
The other woman, the minute details of her face obscured by deepening shadows, mirrored her frown.
“Simple question. Why. You.”
Saffron shook her head. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
The other woman scoffed. “None too bright are you? Figures, but that doesn’t answer my question.”
Saffron shrugged. “If I knew what it was pertaining to perhaps?”
The other woman walked forward, her gobs of long blonde hair flowing around her like a halo. “Nevermind. I just thought we should meet.”
“Fair enough. I’m Saffron.”
“I know who you are. You know you’re not the other woman darling, your just another whore right?”
Saffron was taken aback. “Pardon?”
“He can never love you, not really. Trust me when I tell you it won’t ever happen.”
Saffron choked. “Rhys?”
The other woman laughed, the sound exactly like broken glass. The wind around her whipped up, making the curtains go wild. They reached for her, the material that was beautiful all at once turning malevolent. They gripped her wrists and pulled her forward, towards the woman between them.
She turned then, her hair getting wild, her eyes shining with inner malice. “Mark my words Saffron. This will not end up well for your fragile little heart. Leave him with h
is pain.”
Saffron twisted, fought the material that was holding her and scowled. The other woman moved forward, a smirk on her face as she was toe to toe with Saffron.
“Remember my words little girl, he isn’t for you.”
With that the other woman poked her at the bridge of her nose and she had woken up with a start, a searing pain between her eyes. Rhys had slept through it all, quietly snoring with his arm slung around her waist. He pulled her closer in sleep, and had kissed her shoulder and cuddled into her and she calmed and feel back into sleep.
Now though, in the light of day she recounted and was still left with a feel of unease. Was it her own fears that manifested in her subconscious? It wasn’t a secret that the man was forever wasted on the woman he lost, and to this day he was still living for her memory. Regardless of where it went between there, she was always going to be there, a specter of the woman he loved and would always love. Saffron knew his heart, if he gave it again, would never be whole for the one that would receive it.
And if it was a supernatural event, what then? She decided not to say anything, especially to Rhys, and just let it go. Chalk it up to stress and be done with it.
Rhys plopped down next to her on the galley seat and she pulled the ear buds out.
“You either look like you are in deep thought, or you need to use the can.”
She wacked him in the shoulder. “Seriously? You’re such an ass.”
Rhys laughed and kissed her on the cheek. “Well what’s got your panties in a twist?”
“Nothing major, just thinking.” She said in a noncommittal fashion.
“Nervous about NOLA huh? It’ll be good you’ll see.”
“More like worried about VooDoo. I mean this is the first time you guys play and your all but headlining, big deal.”
Rhys waved it off. “We take it in stride. It’s more of a worry for us that we are playing The Royale before it. That’s where the family and friends who have supported us through everything will be. VooDoo is fans yes, but they are anonymous. Does that make sense?”
It did. Saffron nodded and then shrugged. “But I’m paid to worry.”
“Well don’t. We are going to kill it, both nights, You’ll see. And I would much rather you be worrying about meeting everyone.”
Saffron gave a slight shudder. “Yeah, about that…”
Rhys groaned and shook his head. “Oh no you don’t. Lemme guess, ‘it’s too soon’, or ‘We shouldn’t be even talking about this…’ right?”
Saffron shrugged again, the look on her face all but guilty. The whole thing was exhilarating, but she had her reservations, and she would never tell him. By all accounts, his family loved Phaedra, who was it for him and now he’s going to introduce her to them?
She still felt like the flavor of the week, even if it was going to last longer. She felt like a fraud, and didn’t wanna see the looks of his family when they met her, the pity, the disbelief and worse, the fact that she knew that if they did take it serious, they were going to compare her to a woman long dead. No thank you, she wasn’t a replacement and she didn’t want to be pitied. She couldn’t live up to the legend that was his lost love.
“Let’s take this slow okay Rhys? I mean we can’t even tell X without her blacklisting me from the industry and you want to take me to meet the family after what, a week? Really? What have we done that’s so profound that you want me to meet them?” she asked even though it hurt to consider it.
Rhys frowned and sat up completely and the shook his head. “Seriously? Saff I…” he ran his hand thought his hair and then sighed. “Fine, whatever. I just thought…” he shook his head again. “Nevermind.”
The look on his face tugged at her heart. Shit. It wasn’t that she didn’t feel something for him, she did. She felt more for him than any other guy in her life before meeting him, and she knew that when it was all said and done he would have broken her for any other man. He was just that perfect for her. But she knew that as much as she would love it to be permanent, the most she could hope for was a good friendship, and no friendship was worth your life’s dream coming to fruition.
“Rhys,” she started and he shook his head.
“Don’t worry about it. I gotta get some shit done kay?” he asked and he left, retreating further into the bowels of the moving bus.
This was not what she wanted to happen, but right now there was nothing that could be done about it. Once they got to the city they would have a couple days away from each other, and maybe they could both gain some perspective. She was registered at the Royal Sonesta on Bourbon St. and he was going to spend the time home with the family in the Garden District. With two days off before the Royale Show and then VooDoo, she had hoped to spend it with him exploring, but it was probably better this way. Work, work was what she needed to focus on now anyway, not a sexy Cajun that had succeeded in stealing her heart.
Chapter 13
You know I’m such a fool for you. You got me wrapped around your finger. – The Cranberries
“You sure you don’t want to come with us hun?” Nyx asked from the open door of the tour bus. “It’s not right you staying out here on Bourbon, you are family and should stay with one of us. If not Rhys then me. I got room at my loft…”
Saffron shook her head. Her hotel was the first stop on their road to ditch the van at Hardies, the neighborhood mechanic for its tune up while they all had a day or two of downtime. “It’s cool Nyxie, seriously.” She leaned in and sighed. “I need a couple days by myself.”
Nyx nodded. “Look I know he’s moving fast, but for Rhys to be moving at all, Saffron we all like you and you’re good for him. Just don’t bail ok? He needs you around, especially now.” Nyx came down off the bus and hugged her. “It’s the first time he’s been home since the funeral and been inactive. Just take it easy on him ok?” she whispered and then pulled away.
Now she felt like even more of a shit. He had been attempting to keep himself busy with her by taking her home with him, not trying to push her into something neither of them might be ready for.
“Thanks Nyx.” She said quietly. “I’ll be in touch probably tomorrow.”
“We are having a welcome home party tonight at Winter’s parents house.” She handed Saffron a piece of paper. “Consider coming, ok? Family, remember?”
“I’ll see,” she smiled and stepped back as the door man took her bags inside. She watched the bus roll on down the road, and then make a left out of her sight.
“Ms. Richards? They are ready for you at check in.”
She turned to the concierge and nodded. “Thank you.”
Minutes later she was in her Jacuzzi suite, complete with balcony. It was posh, but relaxed, and she thanked the bellman and tipped him then sent him on his way.
New Orleans was a dream for her, and she was in no way excited to be here. Her heart hurt, and she knew why. She walked to the bed and dropped her messenger bag on it and sat, then stood and walked toward the balcony. She looked out onto Bourbon, her hand on the lush brocade curtain. She felt like she was holding on for dear life. Everything that should be simple was complicated.
A job she should be just doing, she was engrossed in, having become part of the band and the bands family. It was cool, but it brought so many problems, problems she couldn’t even begin to want to deal with. But Rhys, oh Rhys…
The man was just amazing and she hated hurting him.
“What am I going to do about him?” she asked the room behind her and shook her head. It was easy to get lost in the man he was, especially the way he treated her. She realized that his past didn’t really matter to her, and neither did his special abilities. After all, Saffron didn’t have to deal with that, at least not yet, and if she did well she would cross that bridge when she came to it.
She could love him, already did in a way really. It wasn’t soul deep, but it was more than the love she felt for her family and her friends. Shit she was in serious trouble.
So wha
t would she do? She walked towards the bed, and shoved her hand into her jeans pocket and pulled out the paper Nyx gave her. It didn’t feel right to go, but it didn’t feel right to sit about on her own and wonder either.
Torn, she decided a shower would be best, help her clean away the cobwebs and decide with a clear head. She grabbed her luggage and set it on the rack and opened it, a small smile creeping on her face as she saw the folded piece of paper lying on top of her clothes.
Open the door.
She shook her head and walked over to the door and opened it, and Rhys was leaning against the door frame, a Daisy in his hand. “Took ya long enough. If I heard that Jacuzzi starting I was going to knock.”
“And you took the chance that I would just open my suitcase?” She asked as he walked through the open door into the room.
“Hardly. It was either you opened it before you went in for a shower, or you opened it when you got out. Either way, I just had to wait. It wasn’t till I got downstairs and realized that you were in a Jacuzzi room that I got nervous.”
She closed the door and turned to look at him. “And why is that?”
“Because then you would be in there without me, and that would be horrible.”
She laughed and walked past him. “Right.”
Rhys grabbed her by the arm and spun her into him and held her close. “Look, I don’t know what happened but…”
Saffron relaxed into his arms and wrapped her own around his waist. “I thought things were moving too fast…” she offered and sighed.
“Fast? Seriously Saff…” he kissed the top of her head. “So it’s probably too fast to tell you that I consider you my girlfriend eh?”
“Rhys…” she said and shook her head.
He shrugged. “So about that Jacuzzi…”
She laughed. “I take it your inviting yourself to stay?”
