Page 170 of Vicious Knight

He’s watching her.

He’s standing by the willow tree with his hands in his coat pockets clearly watching her.

Kade isn’t even bothering to hide it. And the look on his face…

In the moonlight it’s haunting. He looks like an otherworldly creature sent to kill.

Kill.

That’s how he’s looking at Isabelle. As if he wants to kill her.

She sees it too and her pale skin becomes paler. It’s also as if the realization has rooted her to the spot and she looks like she can’t move.

My spine tingles with that get-the-hell-out-of-here sensation that tells me to take her and run. The last time I saw anyone look so demented was when I encountered the scar-faced man.

Just the thought of him sends icicles racing over my lungs and I have to remind myself that he’s dead.

“Bambi.”

Thorne’s voice snaps me from my daze.

The moment I look at him, I feel safe again. I glance back at Kade but he’s gone. Isabelle is still staring ahead though, as if she can still see him.

Thorne comes up to me and slips an arm around my waist. “Hey.”

“Hi. We were just admiring the sculptures,” I explain, trying to keep the wariness out of my voice.

“They just started serving those strawberry cocktails you like. Thought I’d come and get you.”

“Thanks.”

He glances at Isabelle. “You okay Izzy?”

“Yeah. I’m fine.” Isabelle looks at him and tries to smile but the smile doesn’t quite reach her lips.

“It’s freezing out here. Come on let’s go inside.”

“Sure.”

She follows us when Thorne ushers me ahead but I keep my eye on her. I see the nervousness still in her as she looks over her shoulder at the spot where Kade previously stood.

When we get to the door and Thorne opens it, Isabelle schools her expression and tries to look like her usual sunshine self but I can see she’s not okay.

I feel like she needs to be careful of Kade. I don’t know why or what his problem is but that’s how I feel deep down.

Mackenzie and the other girls join us once we’re inside.

After a few minutes of talking with them Isabelle looks better and more relaxed, so I don’t feel too bad when Thorne pulls me away from the group.

He leads me back outside to the winter wonderland where we walk through the woods and over to the river. We’re alone now, and the moment and surroundings are so beautiful that I make myself forget about the unpleasant encounter with Kade.

Instead I think of the gorgeous amazing man I’m with as we walk along the river.

“I’m going to marry you in snow like this,” Thorne says, speaking against the silence.

From time to time he says things like that. We’re not officially engaged yet but he keeps dropping hints as if it’s coming. He also acts like we’re already married. The other day he called me his wife. It would have been a swoon worthy moment if he hadn’t said it to my father.

It was still nice to hear him say it. Dad smiled at me, then he looked at Mom who couldn’t stop herself from laughing. My parents are back together now. Thorne and I were visiting them for Sunday dinner.

---