The sun was shining brightly through the tall windows of the Moretti mansion, but the light brought no warmth to Elian. He woke up slowly, his body feeling heavy and sore. Every movement reminded him of the night before of Julian's heavy weight, the coldness in his eyes, and the way he had left Elian alone in the dark to go to another person's bed.
Elian sat up, pulling the expensive silk sheets around his bare chest. The room was huge, filled with gold and velvet, but it felt like a prison cell. He looked at the door, half-expecting Julian to walk in with an apology, but deep down, he knew that wouldn't happen. The boy who had smiled at him in the dirt ten years ago was dead.
There was a knock on the door. It wasn't Julian. A young maid walked in, keeping her eyes on the floor. She was carrying a tray with a glass of water and some plain bread.
"The Don says you are to stay in this wing," she said softly. "You are not allowed in the main garden or the dining room while Miss Valentina is here."
Elian felt a sting in his heart. "While Valentina is here?"
"She is staying in the East Wing," the maid whispered, looking nervous. "The Don spent the night there. He says she needs comfort after the... the wedding incident."
Elian took the tray with shaking hands. "Thank you."
After the maid left, Elian walked to the window. From this height, he could see the beautiful gardens below. His heart stopped when he saw two figures walking near the fountain. It was Julian and Valentina.
Julian looked different out there. He wasn't wearing his suit jacket, and he looked relaxed. He was holding Valentina's hand, leaning in to say something that made her laugh. He touched her cheek with the same hand that had pinned Elian's wrists down just hours ago.
Elian leaned his forehead against the cold glass. It hurt to breathe. He had saved Julian's life because he believed Julian was a good person. He had spent ten years wondering if Julian was okay, only to find out that Julian hated him more than anyone in the world.
He spent the rest of the day in silence. He tried to read some of the books on the shelf, but he couldn't focus. His stomach felt strange a dull, fluttering sensation he had never felt before. He thought it was just the stress or the leftover medicine from his allergy attack.
Evening came, and Julian finally appeared. He didn't knock. He walked in, smelling of the outdoors and Valentina's perfume.
"You look pathetic," Julian said, standing at the door with his arms crossed.
"Why am I here, Julian?" Elian asked, his voice stronger than before. "If you hate looking at me, if you love her so much, why keep me here? My father is gone. You've had your revenge."
Julian walked over to him, his shadow falling over Elian. He grabbed a lock of Elian's dark hair and pulled it back, forcing Elian to look up. "Because your father is still alive in the wind, Elian. He is hiding. And as long as I have you, I have a leash on him. Plus..." Julian leaned down, his eyes scanning Elian's face. "I found out I quite enjoy the way you cry. It makes me feel powerful."
"You're a monster," Elian whispered.
"I am what your family made me," Julian replied. He let go of Elian's hair and turned to the door. "Tonight, I'm taking Valentina to the opera. You will stay here. If you try to leave this room, the guards have orders to break your legs. Do you understand?"
"Yes," Elian said, looking at the floor.
