Closing my eyes, I let myself get lost in the melody, and only opened them when I heard cheers and claps from Lilly and Jake. Vlad rose to his feet and walked back to our table, not breaking our eye contact. He had a way of looking at a person, his dark-green eyes so focused and intent that you felt as if you must be the only two people in the entire world. I had used to flick that look away dismissively, immune to whatever charm he had, but right now, I could not find a way to detach my eyes from his.

“Are you all right?” he asked.

He moved his hand and grabbed the glass I was holding to refill it with water, his fingers brushing mine ever so lightly but enough to send an electric shot through my entire body. If he had not been holding the glass, I was sure it would have dropped on the table. “Are you feeling all right?” he reiterated. “You look kind of dazed all of a sudden.”

“Yeah, I’m fine.” If by fine I meant that my head suddenly felt like it was full of boiling water. He did not look convinced. “What was that you played?”

“Piano Concerto No. 5 in D Major, K. 175 by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.”

I needed to google that once I got back to the suite. Something about what he said tickled my brain. Then it finally dawned on me. “Wait. Is that why this restaurant is called No. 5?”

“You’re quick.” Vlad brought his glass to his lips and took a large mouthful of water. “Lilly’s husband, Rikkard, used to play this piece every Christmas. He played it better than I do.” He continued, “Everyone would be on their feet, dancing with their partners, kids would be running around and crowding the Christmas tree. The whole village would come here every Christmas to celebrate, and I would escape from the Court to join them. He died three years ago. I offered to come here and play the piece in December whenever I am free.” The way his jaw clenched told me that he had been close to Rikkard, and to Lilly and Jake as well.

“That is very kind of you,” I commented.

Vlad shook his head. “It’s just a little thing I could do for them.” He turned his head toward Lilly, who was holding Jake in her arms. The boy’s shoulders were shaking as he sobbed against his mother’s chest. Losing someone was hard. I could only imagine how life shattering their sorrow and sadness were. Sure, I had lost Bryan and Carlo, and losing them was utterly heartbreaking, but I knew it was different than losing a family member.