Excerpt-Voice of Abandon by Rae Lori

Excerpt: Voice of Abandon by Rae Lori (See purachase and blurb info in interview post)

Julianna peered down at her program to skim the compositions. The photograph of the violinist, Andrew Graham, caught her eye right away. His soft features reminded her of a romantic hero from a fairytale. Calm eyes and a thin smile welcomed her. Disappointment set in her heart as the lights dimmed over the hall. She set the program down in her lap and joined in applause as the solo violinist and conductor took to the stage. Both took a bow before each took their places to begin the set.
The conductor nodded to the violinist and raised his wand to conduct the opening strings of Tchaikovsky’s None But the Lonely Heart. Julianna’s heart stopped for but a moment at the whimsical nature of the melody. The violinist stood, his eyes closed, lost in the sounds of the song that took him away from the present time.
Then it began.
The melodic high tones like that of a human voice sang to her of a love saddened and darkened by loss. A tragedy of lonesomeness. She found herself sitting forward and listening closely as if the notes spoke to her. The violinist closed his eyes until the last note was carried throughout the hall. He took a bow between the next set and continued as Julianna held her breath.
The spell continued with Frederic Chopin’s Nocturne in C Sharp Minor.
The opening notes of the string set the mood for the solo violin to step in. Once again, the voice spoke to her as if she were the only one in the hall. It enticed her to step out of her body and walk along the shores of the moonlight path. Watching the violinist’s body move with every note, she couldn’t help feeling the mimic consume her. Something was alive now. A fire in her veins that once was an ember. They were connected in that moment with each rise of the crescendo and fall to the low whisper of notes. He reached out to her, exchanged his strength with her weakness and ignited her.
A single tear fell from her eye and down her cheek. It was as if something had awakened deep inside of her now with the sound of the music. Her heart beat faster as the music rose, speaking of a love that could never be tamed.
Her gloved hand gripped the seat as she watched the violinist lost in his world of song. She was transported away with him and they became one, the only two souls left in the world.
As the last notes started low and rose to a high, the strings ended the song with a soft epilogue of promise. The violinist stroked the soft notes to a mellow high-pitched end.
Julianna had to remind herself to breathe. She joined in the applause as the violinist took his bow before disappearing off stage.
Although the program was to continue for the duration of the next two hours, Julianna had to hold her breath in anticipation for the violinist’s return.

“What a wonderful program!”
“Took my breath away!”
“What did you think, Julianna? Julianna?”
Julianna looked up once she realized her name was called.
“My apologies, I didn’t realize”¦” She thought it rude to say she wasn’t paying attention. Instead, she smiled and took Phillip’s arm that he held out to her. “It was lovely, yes.”
“We’re going to meet the violinist and maestro in a few moments. They should be up here soon.”
She followed Phillip’s gaze to the scattered crowd in the hall on the lower level. The citizens looked handsome in their gowns and suits and couldn’t help smiling at the royal family””her family”” as they took their exits.
“Come. I think I hear them on their way.” Phillip caressed Julianna’s hand on his arm and smiled warmly at her.
She forced a smile but she had to wonder if her nerves were apparent as her rapid heartbeat beneath her chest. The last time she was this nervous meeting someone was with Frederick on their first date in Central Park. Had this passionate musician sparked a renewed interest deep within her? Why did she feel this way meeting him?
An older gentleman in a black suit entered the balcony hall with a large smile on his face. He promptly bowed and then waited as each of the family was addressed. His Serene Highness King Frederick DeWinters and his wife, her Serene Highness Queen Marie Caroline Josef DeWinters. Then Prince Phillip, Duke Freeman, Princess Tiana, and, finally, Princess Julianna.
“May I present the maestro and solo violinist for this evening, Sir John Von Constatin and Andrew Graham.”
Julianna had to force herself to breathe once Andrew took her hand after greeting her family. A soft face and warm smile stared right back at her. Hands that tingled with the magic of music sent shivers throughout her body. His voice, as if it were possible to compare, was even more magical and hypnotic than the instrument he breathed life into.
“It is a pleasure.” His voice wrapped around her and held on. She bowed her head and smiled.

Andrew was frozen in place as he looked into the princess’s dark eyes. There was something about them that was different from when he saw her enter earlier. She was alive now, perhaps enraptured by him as he was her. He wanted to tell her to stay that way. To allow herself to feel and release the tugs of sorrow she carried around on her shoulders. She was more beautiful now with the renewed freedom than she had been before. But it was not his place and this was certainly not the time.
Instead, he gave a short bow and raised her hand to his lips where he gently kissed the back. “It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Your Highness.” He wasn’t sure if it was the proper greeting. He had been all over the world with his concerts and tried to remember each custom that was particular to the country. But all thought and reason had left him as he watched her.
She nodded. “You play beautifully, Mr. Graham. I’m honored to have been a part of your audience while you were in town.”
“The honor is mine,” he said finally breaking his gaze to look at the rest of her family. “I rarely have the chance to play to such a delightful family.”
“How long will you be in town, Mr. Graham?” Marie Caroline asked.
“I should be leaving back home to the states tomorrow in a few days or so.”
“Ah. Well, we were to have a banquet for the club. We would love to have you join us.”
“I’m sure the young man has other engagements to attend, my dear,” Frederick Sr. said as he caressed his wife’s hand. “Other concerts perhaps?”
“Another one in New York, yes. I should be leaving in a few days.” Andrew felt his body grow warm as he saw Julianna’s gaze on him out of the corner of his eye. Her head fell slightly as he announced his leave and although they had met just that evening, he didn’t want to leave her either.
“Well, we would love to have you over for tea before then.”
Andrew smiled and nodded. “I would love to attend, Your Highness.” He met Julianna’s gaze and immediately smiled. “It would be an honor. I should be heading back. It was a pleasure meeting all of you.”
Julianna tried to ignore the disappointment in her heart as she watched him turn and leave. If she didn’t speak now, the moment would pass her by. Something deep inside was drawing her toward Andrew, something she couldn’t explain”¦only feel.
“Please excuse me.” She noticed Phillip’s curious gaze toward her as he moved closer. Lifting her dress, she followed Andrew to the backstage where he was gently setting his violin down into his case. She wasn’t sure what to say. The moment she saw him, dressed in his suit, carefully setting his instrument down with the utmost care, she knew she couldn’t let him go so easily. She wanted to see him again.
“Mr. Graham.”
He turned and looked at her. A slight flush brushed across his pale skin and he immediately straightened himself once he saw her. “Your Highness, is there something I can do for you?”
“Your compositions are mesmerizing,” she found herself saying. She scolded herself in her head. What kind of idiotic thing was that to say? The doubt in her mind disappeared as soon as he smiled, making him appear more boyish.
“Thank you, my lady. I have to say that’s the highest honor I’ve ever received.”
“Oh no, I don’t believe that.” She walked closer to him, finding herself relaxing more in his presence. “You’ve won many awards including a Grammy and you’ve been in more esteemed company than myself, I’m sure.”
His handsome face scowled slightly in thought and he nodded. “More esteemed perhaps, but none that is so flattering and meaningful to me.”
Julianna noticed how close she stepped toward him. His blue eyes faced hers and she could feel the heat of his body drawing her closer to him. The spotlights, she tried to tell herself. It had to be the spotlights from the stage. He was still perspiring, beads of sweat forming around his forehead and temples. His breath was slightly labored and from here she could sense his heartbeat still racing. He looked at her in a way that made her feel desired. A feeling she hadn’t felt since Frederick died. In fact, this man”¦this Andrew Graham, was igniting a host of feelings that had been dormant since Frederick’s death.
“I was hoping to see you again,” Andrew said suddenly. He laughed a little. “I’m sorry.” He stepped back, dabbing his forehead a little. “I shouldn’t have been forward.”
“Actually,” she reached out, touching his sleeved arm. Despite the material there, her hand warmed with the touch. “I was hoping to see you. My mother-in-law invited you for tea and brunch but I was hoping to spend some time with you. Just you and I. I don’t want you to think that I’m trying anything. Or that I do this often.” Julianna nearly jumped when she felt his touch on her arm. Something magnetic was happening between them but she wasn’t quite sure what. She wasn’t even sure if she wanted to define it for fear the magic would be lost. Judging from the look in his eye, she hoped he felt the same way, too.