Page 95 of Reflections of Peonies
I already knew where to go.
The first time I was here, I’d sensed it—a place where a creek cut through the forest and the moss grew deep. When I’d run from Damen a few days ago, it was the opposite direction. My thoughts had been in turmoil. It hadn’t crossed my mind to seek refuge there.
But this time, I was prepared.
It wasn’t so far. No one would ever even notice.
The clearing was no largerthan one of the university’s lecture rooms. It was surrounded by thick foliage on every side—like natural walls separating this land from the outside world. An old hunting cabin stood in the center, next to the creek. It was little more than weathered two-by-fours and a tin roof, with no glass in the small window or door in the rough frame. It looked old, as if a strong gust of wind would cause the entire framework to come tumbling down.
I found myself drawn to it despite the possibility of it collapsing on my head.
Moonlight filtered through the trees, and I approached the building. But the illumination didn’t reach the floor.
My heart was pounding in my ears, and a nervous energy was in the air.
But still, I was curious. Bracing myself, I stepped into the darkness.
I’d taken a few steps when my foot brushed against something soft. The object pulled back from me, throwing me off balance. The world tilted, and a strangled scream escaped my lips as I fell onto a warm, rigid form.
Arms closed around my back, triggering the panic hovering on the edge of my awareness.
My voice had barely escaped before a hand pressed over my mouth, throwing me into helpless silence as I was pushed hard into the ground.
“Bianca?” Finn’s sleepy voice broke through the blackness overwhelming my thoughts. As he pulled himself up, and me along with him, his hand dropped from my mouth. But he made no move to release my shoulders, and when he spoke next, his voice was only marginally more awake. “What are you doing out here?”
“Finn!” My voice broke as I stared up at him. My nerves were still on edge, but my heart rate was returning to normal, and my breathing evened out.
He wasn’t himself, otherwise he would have let me go already. We’d never been comfortable with physical affection in the past.
“Are you crazy?” I asked. “Why is silencing me your first reaction?” And besides that, “Why are you sleeping in the woods?”
Damenhadbeen displeased with him. Perhaps…
“Is Damen making you sleep out here?” I whispered, almosthorrified, because that was a bit much, even for someone like Finn.
His attention moved over my face. Whatever he saw there caused his mouth to dip, and he let me go.
“No, he did not.” Finn crossed his arms. His bangs fell over his face, brushing the top rim of his glasses. But he continued to study me. “I was doing something else and fell asleep.”
That was dangerous. It was chilly—he might have frozen to death.
Not that I cared.
“Why would you come out here in the middle of the night?” I wondered.
Finn pressed his lips together, and there was judgment in his expression. “Really?” he asked, pointedly watching me.
My face heated.
“That’s different!” I protested. I loathed this part of him—the times he’d call me out and make me feel six inches tall. “There could be an elephant out here!”
“An elephant,” Finn repeated, the amusement fading from his voice. “Ah, yes. I had forgotten about yourplan.”
“Don’t say it like that.” The warmth spread down my chest. How dare he forget—he should have been spending every waking moment visualizing the moment of his doom. “And don’t make fun of me!”
“Who says I’m making fun of you?” he drawled. “But, really, why are you out here? I’d have thought my brother wouldn’t let you out of his sight. Why do you think he hasn’t argued that you’re sleeping with Miles?”
Damen. I narrowed my eyes.
