Diamond Kisses (The Jewelry Box #4)

She shook her head softly. “Love consists of this: two solitudes who meet, protect, and greet each other.”

“Oh.” I shrugged. “Well, I prefer my version.”

“Me too.” She nodded with a soft smile. “I’m so glad your mind seems to be healing as well as your body.”

“I’m sorry for making you so worried.”

She winced. Tears glimmered. “I’m just glad I haven’t lost you.”

Glancing around the dungeon, I couldn’t hide my fury. “I wish I could get you out of this place.”

“Same.” She gave a sad little shrug.

“Why do you know so many of Rilke’s poems?” Peter asked as he returned from behind the wall. Gathering his and Ily’s meal, he placed a tray by her feet and the other on his pillow.

“My father.” Ily flinched as if the memory caused her pain. “He’s a massive poetry buff. He says Buddha lives in sonnets and songs, not just scripture. That the truth of love and life are often found in the proverbs of pretty words.”

“Your father would get along with my mother and aunt.” Peter bent over Ily and kissed her cheek before climbing back onto his bed. The chain stopped jingling as he settled. “My mum even writes poetry herself.”

None of us reached for our food. Enjoying the anticipation of filling our empty bellies rather than the agonising wait for more once it was gone.

“Does she live in Leeds too?” Ily flipped onto her stomach, cupping her chin so she could study Peter. “Can you remember any of her work?”

“Nah.” Grabbing his blanket, Peter whipped it around his shoulders like a cape and sat cross-legged. “I’m not much of a reader myself.”

Fuck.

I wasn’t prepared for such a simple sentence to gut me.

What I wouldn’t give for a book.

A single page from a manuscript.

A paragraph of words that could allow me to escape this place, if only for a moment.

“Henri…” Ily’s soft voice lifted my eyes to hers.

“Yeah?” I smiled softly, falling yet again with how much I fucking loved her. Even filthy and imprisoned, I found her the most beautiful creature alive. Her tears no longer made me want to drink down her grief but bundle her in my arms and cherish her forever.

“Are you okay?”

I nodded. “Fine.”

Peter narrowed his eyes in my direction. I stared back, not quite sure what his problem was. With a grunt, he threw off his newly wrapped blanket and stood again. Moving toward me, he stopped when his collar jerked him back, preventing him from coming any closer.

“Come here.” He snapped his fingers.

I glowered. “Why? What do you want?”

“It’s not what I want but what you want. Or you will soon. Not that I’m really keeping track, but…after what happened yesterday…”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Just get up, Master H. Obey me like I used to have to obey you. After all, you’re wearing the same collar as me. Technically, I’m your boss now. So get.”

Ily scowled. “I know you’re joking, Paavak, but…too soon.”

He snickered. “Sorry. I’m just…if we let this place get to us, we’re done. We won’t be getting out. So if a little snark and sarcasm is what it takes to keep the blood flowing, then so be it.” He winked and waggled his fingers. “Come on, Henri. Be a good boy.”