Page 53 of The Beast of Ashwood Manor

“Mary tends to worry more than any of us”—Eugenia nudged Mary, who crossed her arms—“but I’ll let you in on this: Our defense around the place is falling. The monsters of Ashwood are finding it easier to breach through. It was bound to happen.”

“Why didn’t you all just tell me before?”

Before she could say more, something caught my eye outside the gate. We all looked over to see Gil walking quickly towards us, and when he reached it, he pushed the gate open as if it had never been locked.

Closing it back, he looked from Mary and Eugenia to me. “What are you all doing out here?”

“Um,” Mary started.

“I was worried,” I covered for her. It wasn’t a lie, as I had been worried the moment she told me he’d been out since that morning.

Gil glowered at us, specks of snow landing on his cloak. He huffed out white air then nodded ahead. “Get inside. Don’t come back out here when I’m out.”

Mary lowered her head as she walked back, and Eugenia quietly stepped back into her patrol duty, but I couldn’t help but glance at the dark-red stain on Gil’s shirt.

When we came inside, the warm air was a welcome feeling.

“Would you like me to draw up a bath, my lord?” Mary asked.

“Yes,” he said, his voice low and deep as he headed for the stairs.

Mary went up behind him, going to the bathroom. By the time I reached the top, he was already at the door that led to his room.

“Gil!” I called after him.

He ignored me, opening the door and rushing inside. Before he could close it, I wedged myself between it, hurting myself as it caught on me.

“What are you doing?” Gil turned, his face red and his eyes wide.

I swallowed hard and looked up at him. “You’re bleeding.”

“It’s not my blood.”

“Are you all right, though?”

His eye twitched, and he frowned at me. He had one foot on the steps that spiraled upwards to his tower. “What do you want, Cale?” he asked.

“I was worried about you. I waited in the library for you, but when you didn’t come, I saw Mary looking out the window. She told me you’d gone out.”

“If there’s a threat, I take care of it. Now leave.”

“No.”

Gil rushed at me, and my back hit the door. He grabbed hold of my hair and tightened his fingers, but not enough to hurt. “Did you think I’d come back to your room after what happened last night? Is that what you were hoping for? Another night of pleasure to keep yourself occupied?”

I shook my head, my breath catching in my throat. “I just . . . wanted to see you. Because I care about you.”

His fingers loosened in my hair. He inched closer to my face and kissed me.

I opened my mouth for him, but it wasn’t gentle like the night before. Our kiss was rushed, sloppy, full of need. And I loved it.

Pulling away, he breathed heavily. “Meet me at the bath. Twenty minutes.”

Nodding, I reached for the door handle behind me and opened it. Then I slipped into the hallway and made my way to my room, where I gathered a fresh set of clothes. I waited until Mary was done filling the tub with warm water and left.

Inside, a fire was already going in the fireplace, and an extra pot of water sat over the grate heating up. I waited until it was boiling before taking up the rags, and I dumped it into the tub, burning myself as I did. I wasn’t used to adding hot water to tubs, as my mother always made me take them cold, even in winter.

After I mixed it in, I eased myself into the tub and waited for Gil. It was warm, and I welcomed the feeling. Chewing on my thumb, I looked out the window at the dark sky, my gaze catching a few snowflakes as they drifted down. The room was dim from the few candles and the fire in the hearth that bounced light off the walls. The time ticked by slowly, and then I wondered if Gil meant for me to get in here with him.

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