Return of the Crowned Heiress

Yet, in that dangerous moment, Stephan hadn't abandoned Felicia. Instead, he had held her tightly, shielding her!

As the current swept them along, she heard him grunt in pain several times, along with the sound of heavy thudding. It suddenly struck her-maybe this powerful man wasn't as cold-hearted as he seemed.

Her gaze softened with concern. "Mr. Russell, are you alright? Should I check your injuries?"

He glanced around, his expression unreadable. "Do you know where we are?"

She shook her head. "Not really."

She had spent some years in Alverton but was too young to explore every corner of the mountain. Now, surrounded by dark trees with no identifiable landmarks, it was impossible to tell their location. And as for their phones-those had been swept away long ago. "Let's find a place to spend the night."

The search could wait until morning; she was sure the villagers wouldn't abandon her and

At this rate, they risked hypothermia-they needed to find shelter and

path on her left, but Stephan hadn't moved from his spot when she glanced back. She understood immediately, feeling a pang of guilt. He must be

lifted one of his arms and slung it over her shoulder. "Here. Lean on

pause, she added, "But this time, no grabbing me by the

we? I thought you would be grateful to the person

unwilling to finish the thought-that night, someone had been burning with desire, and if it hadn't been for

descended the moonlit path, stumbling and slipping occasionally until she spotted something in the distance. "Look! There's a little hut over there!" Sometimes, forest rangers had cabins out here,

was tiny and hastily made, looking almost ready to collapse. Still, they were lucky to have

the door; the lock was rusted. A few taps with a rock, and it fell open. Inside, there was dust, cobwebs,