Page 46 of The Girl Who Fell Through Time
At last, she sighs. “Fine. But only because I have no better alternatives.”
Dorian smirks, just slightly. “Of course.”
Then, before she can protest further, he moves—gathering her into his arms with infuriating ease.
Selene startles, hands instinctively grabbing onto his shoulders. “Dorian—!”
“Relax.” He shifts her weight, holding her securely against his chest. “It’s not far back to Ebonrose.”
She could argue. Could insist he let her down.
It will probably be a long hobble back…
Instead, she rests her head against his shoulder, listening to the steady rhythm of his breath.
Dorian carries Selene through the front gates of Ebonrose, his grip steady despite the long walk back. She’s uncomfortably aware of how easily he holds her, as if she weighs nothing at all.
The manor looms ahead. As they reach the steps, the door swings open, and Soren strides out, his sharp gaze sweeping over them.
“What happened?” he asks, frowning.
“Selene fell from her horse,” Dorian explains briskly. He doesn’t slow, stepping past Soren and into the house.
Soren blinks, glancing at Selene, who offers him a half-hearted smile. “It wasn’t a very graceful fall,” she admits.
Dorian doesn’t humour the joke.
“Where are the horses?” Soren asks instead.
“Still on the path near the western orchard,” Dorian says over his shoulder.
Soren mutters something under his breath and takes off down the steps.
Inside, the cool air of the manor is a relief after the warmth of the sun. Dorian moves swiftly across the foyer, carefully placing Selene down on the settee in the parlour.
“Ariella!” he barks.
The housekeeper arrives within moments, her sharp eyes narrowing when she sees Selene’s ankle. “What’s happened?” she sighs, already rolling up her sleeves.
“She fell,” Dorian says.
“I can see that,” Ariella replies dryly.
Selene suppresses a smile despite herself.
Ariella gestures toward Dorian. “Fetch me some cool water and a clean cloth.”
Dorian hesitates, glancing at Selene as if reluctant to leave.
Ariella snaps her fingers. “Go on, then. She won’t disappear while you’re gone.”
Dorian exhales, rubbing a hand over his jaw, then nods and strides out of the room.
The moment he’s gone, Ariella turns back to Selene with a knowing look. “Menfolk,” she says. “So easily rattled.”
Selene doesn’t know how to respond to that, so she busies herself adjusting her skirts. “It was just a fall.”
Ariella gently lifts Selene’s foot and begins to examine the injury. Outside, Selene hears Dorian’s footsteps returning, and she feels an odd warmth settle in her chest.
