Maxence the Living Painting Prequel: Part Two (special preview)

I step closer, but I remain near the fireplace than by his side. “Is that why you are here?” I ask. “Or is there something else you are after, Baldassar?”

“Why so suspicious?” He chuckles. “You have been my favorite student. I only wish to see how well you are doing.” He rises from his seat. “My daughter has missed you as well. She has been extremely lonely without you, Maxence.”

“I find that very hard to believe.” I avoid looking into his eyes. “Your daughter has always been the kind to never fall short on company.”

Baldassar’s hand claps down on my shoulder. “Tomorrow, I would like to see your new study, your students, everything.”

“It is small yet, Baldassar.” I step out of his grasp. “There is not much to see at this moment, but I am happy with what I have all the same.”

“But that is the whole reason I am here!” Baldassar bears down upon me again, closing the gap between us. “That, and making my child happy.”

I swallow the painful lump in my throat down. “Baldassar, you do not need to act with me. You have my mother bewitched, but I will not fall for your charms.”

Baldassar grabs hold of my arm, gripping it tight in his strong fist. “Strongheaded as always, young Maxence. It is the only thing about you I do not understand.”

“Let go of me.” Where Madelena had been strangely strong, Baldassar is even more so. I can’t even get his arm to budge from me.

“Other than that, you are perfect in every way.” He pulls me closer. “What is it you want, Maxence? What is it that has your mind so filled?”

I finally escape his clutch and, looking up at him, I feel even more uneased than before. His smile is wicked, I cannot place how it is so vile, but there is just something rotten about it. I step away from him and go back towards my chambers.

As I walk into my room, I hear a soft breath from the bed. Pulling back the canopy, I see Madelena lying there, naked. She props up on her elbows and smiles up at me. 

“You’ve finally come home.” Her red hair falls away from her shoulder. 

“Get out,” I snarl at her. 

Madelena smirks, arching her brow. “Oh, don’t worry about a thing.” She giggles and lays back. She strokes her hand down her center. “No one will bother us at all. I made sure of that.”

“I don’t-” I grit my teeth. “Get out! Please! I beg of you, get out of here!”

Madelena sits up with a huff. “Why do you not want me?”

I rip at my hair then shake my hands at her. “I just don’t! I really just don’t!”

Madelena stands up before me, her eyes narrowed upon me as if trying to read my thoughts. “Alright then,” she sniffs. “I will leave you be then.” She keeps approaching me. “But, I only ask for one thing.” She holds up a finger.

“What would that be?” I growl.