I cuddle deeper into the bed, not remembering the last time I slept so well. I don’t even know what time it is. Rolling over, the deep rich smell of Noah fills my lungs as if he was in my bed. Sitting up, I look around to see if he’s in my room, but no one is there.

I crawl out of bed and go over to the window to look out at the vista before me. This place still doesn’t seem real. Nothing is adding up, and I’m not sure I want it to. The last twenty-four hours have been paradise, and I don’t want anything to change.

I hear a soft tapping and turn to see Elina standing in the doorway. “I was getting a little worried. You’ve been asleep for over ten hours.”

“I’m sorry. What time is it?” I ask, feeling bad. I should have been up early and ready to work.

“It’s a little past noon.” She takes a step into the room. “I thought you might like something to eat.”

At her words my stomach lets out a loud growl, making her and me both laugh. “Food sounds wonderful. Maybe I should freshen up first.” I look down, and it’s then I notice I don’t have any pants on. I’m still in my V-neck shirt but my jeans are long gone.

“Your things are in here,” Elina says, walking over to a door and opening it. I follow her and come up short when I see what’s behind the door. It’s a giant closet. A closet isn’t even the right word, because it’s bigger than my old bedroom.

“These aren’t my things,” I say, stepping into the room. Reaching over, I run my fingers down along a silk dress. It’s the deepest blue I’ve ever seen. The material feels so soft against my fingers.

“That one might be a little too dressy for today, but if you’d like to, it’s all yours, my dear.”

I let the dress slide from my fingers.

“How?” I ask, still shocked. My eyes bounce around the room, taking everything in. One whole wall is lined with shoes. The room is filled with everything a girl could want. I feel my eyes start to water. My favorite thing about dancing is when I get the opportunity to get dressed up. I love it.

“Well, you can’t run around without clothes on now, can you?” A teasing smile pulls at her lips, and I feel myself blush at the idea of running around naked. “Or maybe you can.” She shakes her head, the smile still playing at her lips. “How about this one?”

She picks up a white dress and hands it to me. I pull my shirt off and slide the dress on over my body and turn to look in the mirror.

It has little straps to hold the dress up while the top fits close. I feel Elina come up behind me and pull the zipper up, and it’s secure but comfortable. The skirt flares out, hitting mid-thigh, the cotton material cool and pretty. My mom would lose it if she saw me in a dress like this. I always had to get ones that went all the way down to my feet.

“It fits perfectly,” Elina says approvingly.

“Like it was made for me,” I reply, agreeing.

“Probably because it was.”

I look at her in the mirror, our eyes locking on each other. She’s so sweet. I wish my mother was a little bit more like her. She walks over to the far wall and picks up a pair of sandals. They are a soft pink with flowers along the top. “These would look nice with that dress.” She bends down like she is going to put the shoes on me herself.

I try to stop her. “Oh, you don’t have to do that,” I insist, feeling uncomfortable that she’s waiting on me.

“I want to,” she says, smiling. Hesitantly I lift one foot, letting her slide one on, then the other. “I always wanted a little girl to dress up.”

I turn to look in the mirror again, loving the shoes and the dress equally.

“Come sit.”

I sit down at a vanity, and she starts to brush my hair out.

“Why is he doing all this? I don’t understand what’s happening. These clothes had to cost more than my tuition for this private dance school.”

Elina doesn’t answer me. Instead she pulls out a ribbon and ties it into my hair. “You have the softest hair.” She gifts me with a compliment and changes the subject. “Now I can feed you and show you around.” She steps back, looking me over. “Perfect. You finish getting ready and I’ll meet you in the kitchen. You have anything in mind to eat? It’s already afternoon, but if you still want breakfast we can do that.”

“I’m okay with whatever is easiest.”

She rolls her eyes at me. “Come on now. How about French toast and bacon?” My stomach growls at her words. “Guess that’s a yes.” She leans down, kissing me on the cheek, before turning to leave. I stand there still feeling like I’m in some haze, not entirely convinced that all this is real.

“Go with it,” I mumble to myself, wanting to soak all this up.

After making quick work in the bathroom, I practically run to the kitchen. Half because I want the food and half because I’m desperate to see Noah again. I wonder where he is.

Disappointment hits me when I see he’s not downstairs. Elina looks up from the pan she’s frying bacon in and smiles. “Sit,” she tells me, motioning to a seat that already has a plate with food on it. I do as I’m told and take a seat then start eating.

“So where is Noah?” I try to say it as casually as possible. I look up through my lashes to see her smiling at me again.

“I would guess he’s working. He’s always working.” She pauses and takes the bacon off the stove. “I’m hoping that will change soon.” She brings the plate over to me and then picks up her coffee and takes a sip.

“Why would that change?” I ask, wanting to learn as much about him as I can.

Instead of answering me she nods to my plate and motions for me to eat.

“When you’re finished eating I’ll show you around.”

With those words, I concentrate on eating what’s on my plate so that I can have a look at this castle. And maybe partly because I want to see if we’ll run into Noah.