Drifting in and out of consciousness, I got snippets of Shane’s scent, his strong arms as they carried me from the field to the packhouse walls. Soft Baltic linen was smooth against my skin and passionate kisses pressed to my wrists. Sweet promises and dark eyes were the last thing I saw before I woke up in the morning.
When I did, he was gone.
The sheets were cold and he was nowhere to be seen. I hated waking up without him. Especially after last night.
I flinched as I sat up. My muscles and my core hurt. My cheeks flushed as memories of last night flitted through my mind. I covered my face with my hands. I wanted to squeal.
There was a knock at the door, and I look down at my dress from last night. I hid it beneath my sheets and hoped for the best. I jumped to my feet and threw on my nightgown. Taking a deep breath, I walked over to the door as the knocking grew louder. As I unbolted the door, Ava pushed it open and walked into the room. She didn’t greet me, instead, she looked in every corner of the room, even beneath my bed.
“What are you doing?” I asked as confusion etched my features.
Ava ignored me and I glared at her as she walked around the room. She stared out the window and a cold feeling of dread snaked its way up my back as she turned to face me. Her eyes were filled with suspicion, and I felt like a criminal caught by the Beta. I hated the way she could make me feel this way.
I’m irked.
“Is this your room?” I bunched my fists on my hips. “You get to walk through it like it’s your own. I think you forget who is older here.”
“Age doesn’t matter, not when I’m in charge of you,” Ava spat.
“Whatever you need to tell yourself. Why are you searching through my room? Who are you hunting?”
“I think you know who I’m looking for. A man was spotted early this morning before sunrise,” her eyes searched my face for any flicker of emotion, or something that would give away the truth. “He was seen before sunrise running into the field.”
I fight the urge to gasp at her words. I can’t react. I can’t let anything show. I won’t. They don’t know anything. They can’t and they definitely didn’t see anything.
“Oh, my. Was he a criminal?” I asked, eyes wide in feigned innocence and fear.
Her eyes narrow at me.
“Wait… even if there were… that doesn’t explain why you’re searching my room, sister?” I considered, eyeing her suspiciously.
“I think he was in your room. Why else would there be someone out back by the field? Who else would he be here to see? There is no one on this side of the castle. No one, but you. If someone was outside your window, the only explanation is that they were here for you.”
“You can’t be serious. What are you suggesting? What makes you think that? Couldn’t this unknown man have been here to be with someone else?” I asked.
“Only a man was seen. No one else.”
“How is this my problem?” I asked.
“He was running away from here, the person he left would have to still be here, and you’re the only one on this side of the castle.”
“Instead of pointing your finger at me, why don’t you just ask me what’s on your mind?” I shook my head as I crossed my arms in front of my chest.
“And if I did? Would you tell me if you had a man in your room last night?” Ava asked.
“I didn’t know we were that close,” I said as I looked her dead in the eye.
“Adea.”
“How would a man get into my room, Ava? My door is bolted.” Ava looked towards the window. “You can’t be serious. Do you think a man would risk his life to climb up?”
“I think men would do anything for a tumble in the sheets.”
“Watch yourself. What you are saying could ruin me,” I warned.
“Are you still pure, sister?” Ava asked. I didn’t flinch.
“Why? Are you going to tell Ethan, so he can check me again?” I asked.
Her eyes lowered at the memory of when Ethan and I were left alone in the dining hall.
“I have been up in my room all night. The guards would have alerted you if I went downstairs. The servants would have reported my movements to you. As for someone climbing up the wall, I think that’s absurd.”
Ava engaged me in a stare-down. I returned her gaze with my chin held high as thoughts crossed my mind.
What if I wasn’t pure?
Would Ethan cancel our engagement?
Would I finally be free of my duty to him?