Page 13 of His Darkest Desire

Oh no. This…this can’t be happening. This isn’t real, it’s a dream, a nightmare.

Her heart quickened. She had to be dreaming, because this…

Wake up, Kinsley!

His grasp eased slightly, and his eyes narrowed. When he spoke again, his words were more measured, though they lacked any of the compassion they might initially have implied. “You’ve endured much since trespassing in my realm. For that reason alone, I will grant you a reprieve this night. But be not mistaken, Kinsley Wynter Delaney—by your oath, you are bound to me, and you shall fulfill your duty. Upon my return on the morrow, you will be welcoming. You will be grateful.”

He leaned closer, close enough that she felt his heated breath on her lips. “For without my intervention, you’d be naught but food for maggots and crows.”

All at once, he released Kinsley and withdrew, moving so quickly that the breath fled her lungs in his wake. Were it not for the support of the headboard, she was certain she would’ve collapsed right there.

Somehow, her gaze landed upon him—he was the deeper shadows amidst the darkness as he strode away from the bed.

Kinsley drew in a shaky breath. “Who are—”

“Sleep,” he said, turning his head so his eyes blazed at her. “I would have you adequately rested for tomorrow.”

Her brows fell. “I don’t want to sleep, I want an—”

“Sleep.” His voice rippled with undefinable power, with irresistible compulsion.

Kinsley’s eyelids fluttered. She had just enough time to wonder what the hell he’d done to her before she slumped to the side and oblivion reclaimed her.

CHAPTER FIVE

Though she felt like her eyes had just closed, Kinsley awoke to dim daylight streaming in through the window.

In exchange for saving your life, you must bear my child.

She blinked.

Upon my return on the morrow, you will be welcoming. You will be grateful.

“Oh, fuck that shit.” Kinsley shoved herself up onto her knees, fists raised and muscles tense, ready to fight as she scanned the room. There was no shadowy man with bright red eyes anywhere to be seen. Even the rolling pin he had tossed aside was gone.

Had it been a dream?

No. It’d been real. He was real. However dreamlike everything had seemed since the accident, it was all somehow very, very real.

“Come out!”

Only silence replied to her demand.

Keeping her hands up, Kinsley crept off the bed and backed toward the exit. “I said come out!”

When she reached the door, she grasped the handle and tugged. She nearly sagged in relief when it opened. Poking her head out into the chamber beyond, she glanced to either side, finding it as quiet and deserted as before.

Kinsley stepped out of the bedroom and eased the door closed behind her, trying to make as little noise as possible. She cringed when the wood scraped the frame.

It’s not like you weren’t just yelling a second ago, Kinsley.

After ensuring the silence continued, she took a few deep, fortifying breaths and moved forward. Her eyes swept her surroundings ceaselessly as she padded around the tree, past the closed door to the right, and finally down the steps into the foyer. All the while, her brain insisted that some shadow monster was lurking around the next corner or sneaking along right behind her.

The fact that there was nothing there every time she glanced back offered her no comfort.

Nor did she take comfort in the sense that someone—or something—was watching her.

Adrenaline made her hand tremble when she reached for the front door handle, but she didn’t hesitate. She yanked it open and bolted out of the cottage. Kinsley didn’t dare look back as she followed the path deeper into the forest.

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