Chapter 190

Audrey

"Wait, what?" I dug my heels in, my shoes scraping on the marble floors of the

museum, as Edwin ushered me toward the exit. "I don't want to go."

"I'm sorry, but we have to," Edwin insisted. "Fiona cannot be trusted. I don't want to risk you getting hurt by her again."

"But Edwin-"

"No buts. We're leaving. Now."

I felt hot tears p**k at the backs of my eyes as we got back into the car and drove. away from the museum. The beautiful dresses, the inspiration I had been feeling, the brief moment of normalcy-all of it was slipping away.

So fast. Too soon.

"I promise we'll go on another date soon," Edwin said, his eyes fixed on the road ahead. His knuckles were white as he gripped the steering wheel. "Somewhere safer."

I was too upset to respond, turning to stare out the window instead. The city lights. blurred as we sped through the streets, although whether from the speed or the tears in my eyes, I couldn't tell.

Back at the apartment, Edwin locked the door tightly behind us, the multiple clicks of the deadbolt echoing in the quiet space. He moved through the rooms like he was on a mission, checking and securing all the windows even though he normally left them open to let in the fresh air.

"Edwin," I said as I followed him from room to room, "why are you acting like this? Fiona had guards with her. She has a tracker in her phone. She's under constant surveillance. It's very unlikely she's a threat anymore, at least until her sentence is over.

Edwin turned to me, his eyes dark with worry. "We can't be too sure of that, Audrey. I think Fiona might be up to something. She might still be in communication with Coldclaw. Showing up like that, out of the blue.. For all we know, she's feeding them. your location as we speak."

I sighed as I watched him run to another window, lock it tightly, and snap the curtains shut.

"Don't you think you're being a bit paranoid?" I asked. "We're back in the city now, not 1/4

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And I still do combat training four times a week with you. Sure, I can't shift yet, but I'm not a child.

voice softening as he approached me. "I'm sorry for ending our date carly. I just... I worry about you. Can you promise me you'll stay by my side for a while? Just until we're sure everything's okay? I'll send

that thrummed down our bond as well, hot and heavy. I

I finally said, throwing my hands up

he pulled me into a tight hug. "Thank you," he murmured, pressing a warm kiss against the top of my head. "I promise it'll be quick. Just a week at the

how true that

at almost all times, dropping me off and picking me up from every class I attended.

first, I tried to understand. I knew he was worried-terrified, even, that I might be taken from him again like the night of Claudia's birthday. I knew that the visions I'd had of silver arrows terrified him

I began to feel stifled. The constant supervision, the lack of personal space-it was all adding to my already high stress levels. Even simple tasks like going to the library or grabbing coffee between classes became complicated. ordeals. I didn't see

Edwin prepared a special dinner, setting up candles on the table. The apartment smelled like delicious food and wine. He said he wanted to help me relax, to make everything

I was. I put on a smile and sent love and affection down the

had dinner and watched a movie, snuggled up together beneath

12.38 Mon, Sep 23

Chapter 10

in to kiss me, his lips soft and

my body, leaving trails of heat in their wake. We began to make

myself in the sensation of his touch, to forget about the stress and tension. of the past week. For a moment, it worked. The feel of his skin against mi, the familiar rhythm of our bodies moving together, the sensation of his warm member filling

was about to reach my peak, something

nothing happened. Like turning the

coming out.

unable to hide the crease between my brows. "Come for me," Edwin murmured into my car, oblivious to the

My voice sounded

His chest heaved as he caught his breath,

the blanket too close around our bodies. "No,

But I couldn't bring myself to tell him that. I didn't want to hurt his feelings or

the simple explanation: I was

hear a hint of disappointment in his voice. He gently pulled out of me and planted a kiss against my lips. "I understand." "Are you sure?" I

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