Page 66 of Captive Bride

Isobel

There’s a break in the clouds, and the sun is shining through.

It’s been a stormy week at the mansion, both figuratively and literally.

Every night that I’ve been here, Tristan has come to my room and devoured me.

There’s passion burning between us that’s unbreakable and indefinable. Sometimes, he drags me back to his bedroom. Sometimes, we do it in mine.

The location doesn’t seem to matter. All that matters to me is that my heart now beats for this one man, this person.

He’s taught me the ropes, the throes of passion, and there’s no escaping the heat now.

Right now, I’m walking the grounds by myself. The sunshine feels good on my skin. It’s been nice to get out every day just to explore the surrounding forest in the overgrown gardens.

It’s a reality that’s in stark contrast to my time being a Capulet princess locked in the tower. The only outside air I was able to breathe was from my balcony, which I used to think about jumping from every single day of my life.

But all that has changed now because of Tristan.

Every morning and afternoon, I take a walk around the mansion. He seems to trust me, knowing that I won’t run away, that I won’t run from him anymore.

Besides, even if I wanted to escape, there’s really nowhere to go. We’re so far out in the middle of nowhere I wouldn’t know which way to turn.

And I know what’s good for me. I know that staying with Tristan is the right idea. I feel like I can trust him. He continually reminds me of that.

This is what being in love means. Our two hearts beat as one. He knows what I’m thinking before I say it.

There’s this unspoken connection between us that’s fiery and passionate and overwhelming. My entire life revolves around him, and it feels good.

I walk through the wet grass with my tall rain boots and my slip dress on, a blanket around my shoulders like a shawl. It feels so fucking good to get fresh air, and I realize what I’ve been missing out on my entire life.

My father and mother might’ve kept me hidden away in the sky rise; they might’ve afforded me every luxury, presents, and a glamorous life. But I was never allowed to leave. It was a virtual fortress, and I just can’t believe how good it feels to get away from there.

Tristan’s guys have shown up, and there are bodyguards everywhere. The war is still looming.

Merc and Benny and I get along really well. They’re nice. Merc is somewhat darker than Benny, but Benny always makes me feel at ease. I guess you could say we’re becoming friends.

I trudge through the mud and grass, and it feels so refreshing to get some fresh air and to get dirty. I didn’t realize how much I’ve been missing out on in nature.

The birds swoop into a distant lake to catch their prey, and I think how I’ve been caught. I am Tristan’s prey. I know he’ll never let me go or be in danger for a second, but he has caught me.

At least this is what I tell myself. I know he’s good at his job, he’s good at what he does. But that doesn’t change the fact that there’s a Capulet and Montague war that’s been ignited.

Tristan made the first move, and I imagine my father and his gangsters are searching the streets for me everywhere. I imagine they would kill Tristan if they found us.

This is the sad truth, and the truth I try to forget about every day. I don’t want to think about it. I don’t want to think about any more sadness or anything upsetting. I’m too perfectly happy out here with him.

I can see the bodyguards watching me from a distance. Tristan insists I have privacy and time to roam around the grounds. He knows it’s important for me to get out, considering all the years I was held in captivity.

So I spend the afternoon roaming and hiking around the place. When dusk starts to fall, I head back to the mansion, knowing Tristan will be worried if I don’t get inside soon.

We have dinner every night, and tonight is no exception. He’s hired a private chef and everything. It’s just going to be the two of us dining, and it sends flutters through my entire body to think of having time with him alone.

Maybe he’s thinking about revealing his ultimate plan to me. As of now, he’s kept me in the dark, not wanting me to know just in case people try to get information out of me later.

I trudge back to the house just as the sun is starting to set, and I see Tristan standing outside waiting for me. He looks so hot and rugged set against the gothic mansion.

I walk towards him, and a smile breaks out across his face.

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