Page 46 of The Beast Between Us
He must be inside.
Not wanting to disturb him, I turn and head for the second bathing chamber farther down the hall. Afterward, as I step back into the corridor, the urge to return to bed fades. I know I won’tfall back to sleep. Not with my mind this awake. And not without knowing Thorne is okay.
A walk. That’s what I need. Just a short one.
Lady Evermere’s rose garden.
I haven’t seen it at night yet.
I bet it’s beautiful.
Slipping through the quiet halls, I make my way toward the garden doors. The manor is still, the only sound my bare feet brushing softly against stone.
When I step outside, the night air greets me like an old friend. Cool and calm, kissed by the scent of roses and rain. Giving a smile to the dead ground so that it doesn’t feel left out, I turn right and head towards the rose garden. Moonlight spills across the garden, painting the petals in silver and shadow.
It’s breathtaking.
Peaceful.
Magical.
I walk the stone path slowly, fingers grazing the edges of blooms as I pass. In this moment, it’s easy to forget the weight of the past or the warnings of the future.
Right now, there is only moonlight. And roses. And him.
Somewhere inside, Thorne is near. And somehow… that’s enough.
The night air is chilly, biting at my cheeks, but I linger a little longer.
“You raised a good man,” I whisper, voice soft in the stillness. “Thank you for him.”
A breeze stirs, brushing gently against my face. Not cold this time, but warm, soft… comforting. Almost like a mother’s touch.
I close my eyes, letting it settle over me like a blessing, then turn and walk out of the garden and back around the grounds to the door.
The moment I reach for the handle, an arm snakes around my waist. A rough hand clamps over my mouth.
Panic surges.
“Foolish Beast,” a voice hisses against my ear…familiar, and full of venom. “Now every last cent will belong to me.”
Father.
I thrash and kick, trying to scream, but his grip tightens. My muffled cries vanish into the dark as he drags me into the shadows, away from the manor, away from safety.
Away from Thorne.
Chapter Eleven
Thorne
I jolt awake, heart slamming against my ribs.
Water sloshes around me as I sit upright in the tub, breath catching in my throat. It’s cold now. How long have I been asleep?
For a moment, everything feels… wrong. Off-kilter. Like the manor itself is holding its breath.
I rise quickly, muscles stiff from the cold. Toweling off with rough efficiency, I tug on a loose shirt and trousers, my hands moving on instinct. The feeling gnaws at me. This isn’t normal. Something’s not right.
