Page 131 of The Girl Who Fell Through Time
The realisation strikes her like a blow to the chest.
This isn’t just about taking her. The Duke sent them under the assumption that Dorian was alreadygone—but if he isn’t, they’ll make certain of it. And if they go inside the house…
Dorian is too weak to fight back. Soren is the only one who stands a chance against them, but there’s only one of him, and five of them. He’ll be outnumbered. Ariella and Rookwood are sure to try, but…
Gods, she could lose them all.
You wanted to save him,a voice reminds her.This is how. This is how you keep him safe.
Selene sways, just a little. Presses a trembling hand to her mouth. The grief of the past few days is so raw, so present, that it doesn’t take much effort to let it consume her.
“Dorian is dead.” Her voice barely escapes her lips.
The men pause.
“What?” The broad-shouldered one frowns.
Selene lets herself tremble. Lets her shoulders sag as though she’s barely holding herself together. “He died last night.” Her breath hitches, and she clutches her arms around herself. “He fought so hard, but in the end…” Her voice breaks.
The wiry one narrows his eyes. “You’re lying.”
Selene lifts her chin, allowing tears to well in her eyes. “Go inside and see for yourself, then,” she whispers. “Tell the grieving people inside that you’ve come to drag a widow from her husband’s deathbed.”
That gives them pause. They probably don’t want to have to deal with anyone else.
“Why’d do you say you was still married, then?”
Selene lets the tears fall. “I will always be his wife,” she whispers. “Always…”
One of the younger ones shifts uneasily. “We should have gotten word. The village should have heard—”
Selene lowers her gaze. “I was going to send it,” she murmurs, voice thick with grief. “I was just getting some flowers to lay at his bedside… these are the midnight irises. His family flower. It’s tradition to, to…”
A heavy silence.
Then the leader exhales sharply. “The Duke won’t be pleased.”
The wiry one huffs. “When is he ever?”
“Doesn’t change the job,” another argues. “We still take her. I’m not keen to get into a fight with whoever’s inside, are you?”
Selene tenses.
The leader nods. “Aye.” His sharp gaze flickers over her. “You can mourn just as well at the Duke’s estate.”
Selene grips her skirts, forcing herself to remain steady. If she resists, if she fights, they’ll force their way inside. If they do that, theywillfind Dorian.
And they will kill him.
She inhales, drawing in a shuddering breath. Then she lifts her head.
“Fine,” she says. “Take me to him.”
They don’t question it. They don’t expect her to fight.
The leader steps forward, grabbing her arm. She lets him.
As they lead her from the field, she allows herself one last look at the house. At the place where Dorian is safe—for now.
