Devotion

He walks me to the head of the table and indicates I should sit in the loveseat. It’s got a high back and blankets on one side and looks so inviting. I step past him and am a little sad when I have to let go of his hand to sit. For a brief moment, I think he might sit with me, but instead he leans over and grabs a blanket pulling it over my lap. Then he sits down on the chair beside me and settles in.

“You didn’t bring many warm clothes,” he says as he reaches for a glass of wine in front of him.

I look over to my place setting and see there is one in front of me, too. I’ve never had wine before, and though I’m curious, the last thing he gave me was drugged.

“I promise to not drug you again. It was only to get you here safely.” He reaches over, takes my glass of wine, and sips it before placing it in front of me again.

“I didn’t pack my suitcase,” I say before picking up my glass and taking a drink.

The wine is different than I expected. The girls in the dance company have complained about wine being sour and bitter. This is smooth and warm, however, and I feel it as it goes down into my empty stomach. I should probably slow down since I haven’t eaten in a long time and I’ve never drunk alcohol before. Just as soon as I have the thought, servers appear and place a basket of fresh bread and a bowl of creamy soup in front of me.

I look over and see Noah dipping his bread in his soup, and I follow suit. I don’t know the last time I was allowed this much food, and it’s so rich. I think I inhale it all in one breath, and I’m finished before Noah is even halfway through his. A pang of sadness hits me like it always does at mealtimes when my food is gone. But a nod from Noah and my plate is replaced with another that’s filled with roasted chicken and sausages, potatoes piled high and a mound of vegetables.

“Um. I don’t think I’m supposed to eat all this,” I say as my mouth waters.

“I brought you here, Aurora. You are under my care. I expect you to finish the meals you are given and to tell me if you are ever hungry and I don’t realize it.”

His stern look leaves no room for argument, and who am I to tell him no? I’m starving, and never have I been given a meal like this.

“While you are mine, you will do as you’re instructed. That includes dancing, but also with your daily activity. You will be required to eat…” He pauses as his soup is taken away and his second course if brought out. “…relax and sleep at any point I deem necessary.”

“Relax and sleep? This sounds like a vacation.” I smile as I work on polishing off my plate of food.

“Have you ever had a vacation?” he asks, and I shake my head.

“No. But I guess it’s what I imagine one would be like.”

I see the hint of his dimple, and it makes me smile again. My second plate is taken away just as I realize I’ve cleaned it, and a dessert plate is in its place. A square of warm pastry and apples are served with a side of cream, and I want so badly to eat it, but I know I shouldn’t. I’m not supposed to have any sort of sugar, and I can tell by the smell of it that it’s definitely a banned substance in my house.

“Eat,” Noah says and reaches out to tuck a dark strand of hair behind my ear. “Don’t be afraid to indulge, little star.”

The heat in my belly grows, and I don’t know if it’s from the wine, the food, or desire. One touch from him and I’m out of sorts. How am I supposed to control myself with a man that has this much power over me?

“What about my training?” I say, wondering why he’s being so lenient. I was expecting a tyrant, and here he is giving me dessert.

“I have had a studio built, and you are welcome to dance anytime your heart desires,” he answers simply and leans away.

I hate the loss of contact, but it helps me keep my head clear. “But I thought that’s why I came here. To learn to be the best dancer in the world.”

A shadow passes over his eyes. “I have business I have to take care of tonight, so Elina will answer your questions. Tomorrow, you and I can discuss your dancing and how you would like to proceed.”

It feels like a declaration more than a discussion, so I stop asking questions. This is only the first night, and I don’t want to get off on the wrong foot. Maybe there are other coaches here and that’s where my training will come in. Instead of dwelling on it, I pick up my fork and dive into the dessert.