Page 42 of Legacy of Roses

He was so very…tall. Yes, he was tall and solid and far too commanding a presence. He pulled people toward him when what he needed to do was to keep them all away.

Jace had drawn people to him too. Rosalie squeezed her eyes shut, trying not to think of Jace. She was balanced precariously in the grip of too many strong emotions, and if she didn’t hold herself carefully, she would be lost into the abyss.

Clearly Daphne was right, and it wasn’t the moment to talk to Blythe. That meant she should focus on Dimitri.

She had tried to be subtle so as not to provoke Blythe and had already failed. Dimitri was doing a better job, though. It didn’t look like anyone had noticed their side conversation. Perhaps he didn’t want to ruffle his flirtation with Blythe by being seen talking to Rosalie.

Fresh irritation swept through her, washing away her sense of caution.

“Do you really mean to ignore all my warnings?” she asked heatedly, her voice at normal volume. “Even after everything that’s happened?” She gave him a significant look.

“I’m not ignoring your warnings,” he protested. “I’m here to?—”

“Do not say you’re here to protect me,” Rosalie hissed through her teeth.

Dimitri frowned, his eyes jumping from her face to the rest of the group. She followed his gaze and instantly flushed. The main conversation had died, and everyone was staring at the two of them.

Dimitri immediately rose to his feet, smiling at the gathered company before gazing at her with impersonal concern.

“I’m sorry to hear you’re feeling so weary, Mistress Rosalie. I would be happy to see you safely back to your family.”

She blinked at him in stupefaction. She wasn’t entirely sure which of them had lost touch with reality.

Blythe looked uneasily between them before focusing her gaze on Rosalie. “If you’re not feeling well, Rosalie, I’d be happy to walk with you.”

She glanced at Sable who quickly echoed the sentiment.

Dimitri took Blythe’s hand and bowed over it. “You are gracious as always.” He looked up at her with laughing eyes, and she snatched her hand away with a giggle. “But I won’t have any of you tiring yourselves out. Since my home is located in the same direction as Mistress Rosalie’s, it won’t be out of my way at all.”

He moved swiftly, guiding Rosalie to her feet in one smooth movement, and placing a hand on the small of her back. Before either she or Blythe could protest, he had her halfway out of the dining room.

Rosalie glanced over her shoulder as he propelled her forward. Despite his quick action, Blythe had also stood and looked as if she meant to follow after them. Her attempt was thwarted, however, by Daphne, who had woken up just in time to throw herself into Blythe’s arms in a fit of tears.

Rosalie narrowed her eyes. Once again, Daphne had woken from her apparent nap at an awfully convenient time. But when Rosalie caught the look of horror on Blythe’s face, she couldn’t help laughing silently as she was swept out of the room. She had no idea what excuse Daphne would use for her sudden devastation, but her friend was surprisingly resourceful for someone who spent so much time asleep.

As soon as they were out of the dining hall, she opened her mouth to chastise Dimitri. But before she could do so, he made a sudden turn, propelling her with him so abruptly that she lost her breath. By the time she had caught both her breath and her bearings, her back was against the wall in a dark recess at the far end of the inn’s corridor.

Dimitri lingered outside the recess, peering up and down to make certain there was no one within earshot. But she only managed one breath before he stepped in with her, apparently satisfied they were alone.

Rosalie’s breath caught, her eyes widening as she found herself face to face with him inside the small space. He stilled, his eyes locked on hers, and the same surprise showing on his face as she felt on hers.

A band constricted around Rosalie’s chest. For the second time that afternoon, she found herself in unexpected proximity with a young man’s handsome face. But Jace had invaded her space on purpose, and it had felt exactly like the unwelcome invasion it was. Being close to him had evoked fear, repulsion, and anger.

Dimitri, however, seemed as surprised as she was to find their faces only inches apart in the small, dark space. And his presence made her feel…

Her heartbeat rose to a staggering crescendo as she tried to complete the thought. What, exactly, did such close proximity to Dimitri make her feel? She could sense his warmth—although they weren’t actually touching—and the earlier intensity had returned to his gaze. Against her will, her eyes dropped to his mouth, positioned just above hers.

The emotions within her whirled, the tangled mix of the last few days almost overwhelming her. The traumatic encounters with Jace twined together with the sense of safety and strength she had felt when Dimitri carried her in his arms.

She was teetering on the edge of losing control entirely. And she had no idea what she would do if that happened. Slap him? Kiss him? Run away crying? Each possibility was more horrifying than the last.

With extreme self-control, she forced her eyes to focus on his. As soon as she did, he spoke.

“What’s wrong, Rosalie? Something’s been bothering you since you walked in the door.”

Chapter 13

Dimitri

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