Page 63 of Winter's Scorching Kisses
“Definitely,” Adorra confirmed as she began to eat.
“I thought you might be interested in taking a look around the village.” Jasmine ventured. “It’s a lovely town, and I think it might help you acclimate to the way of life around here. Who knows, maybe you’ll enjoy it.”
Adorra shook her head as she swallowed her latest bite. “I’d rather think up an escape plan with you. I don’t want to remain here, and I’m not about to leave you here either.”
Jasmine took hold of Adorra’s hands and yanked her hands until they landed on Jasmine’s stomach. “I’m having a child with Dryden. I don’t wish to leave.” Her sister pierced her with her hazel eyes. “What can I do to convince you that I’m happy here, and I want to remain here with him? I’ve found love, Adorra.”
Adorra just shook her head, her ponytail waving behind her. Then she felt the child kick under her hand, or maybe it was her imagination playing tricks on her mind. “He must have forced you.”
Jasmine shoved Adorra’s hands off her stomach and leaned back in revulsion. “He would never do that!”
“How do you know?”
“Because I’ve been with him ever since I disappeared. I may not know him through and through like a childhood friend, but I’ve gotten to know the man I spend my night’s with, and he is a lovely man. There isn’t a single cruel bone in his body.” Jasmine went off.
When Adorra said nothing Jasmine continued, “Please, Adorra. Give it a chance. Wait a while before passing judgment on these people. Let them show you what they’ve shown me. My life has been great since arriving here, and I look forward to having more time with them.”
Jasmine’s eyes pleaded with her, and she found it difficult to deny her sister her request.
“I have a lot of questions for you.” Adorra changed the subject because she was ready to get some more answers from her sister. It was about time someone started answering questions about Edmund’s death. She’d waited patiently, but she needed to know more.
“I’ll give you answers in time.”
“I need to know what happened with Edmund.” The mystery had weighed heavily on her for all this time, and now her wound was opening up, fresh and painful. “I remember him being killed, and I know it was a giant, and I’m thinking I know which one.”
Jasmine shook her head. “Not now. First, I want you to see the village. I want to have a good day with no misery, and then we will answer all your questions.”
Adorra wasn’t so sure she could wait. “Can’t you understand how this weighs on my shoulders? Mathar told me you would be able to tell me what I wanted to know.”
“I know,” Jasmine grimaced, the light fading in her eyes, “but I think we should wait until you have a bit longer here before I tell you.” Jasmine pleaded. “I want you, us, to have some time together before we talk about anything sad.”
Adorra gritted her teeth. “I won’t be pushed off for much longer, Jasmine. Imagine if Dryden was killed in front of you, and I wouldn’t tell you what I knew.”
Jasmine cringed looking like Adorra had slapped her. “I know. Just give me a little more time. I haven’t figured out the best way to tell you what I know.”
“Fine.” She pointed a finger in her sister’s face, “But I want my answers.”
She’d hang on for a little longer because she still needed an escape plan and the moment she heard what Jasmine had to say she knew she was going to want to flee. With how everyone was acting she had her suspicions on what had happened to Edmund and who was involved. Maybe she didn’t want to know after all.
The wound had healed, and hearing what needed to be said would only rip it open once more.
Adorra bit the inside of her cheek as she tried to figure out her mixture of emotions. In some ways, she just wanted to put Edmund’s death behind her and not think about it again.
“I’ll join you to the village.” Because she wanted some more time with her sister, and she didn’t want to sit on her hands at the castle all day. The more she saw, the easier she’d be able to come up with an escape plan.
Adorra regretted her decision the moment they were in the courtyard waiting for Mathar and Dryden to finish tacking up the horses.
“Is he joining us?” She tried to keep the contempt from her voice but had a hard time of it. Mathar was not a face she wanted to see right now. Not only was he an annoyance, but he might be a killer. Not that she had any proof either way. Not yet.
“Mathar?” Jasmine asked as she turned to glance over at the man they were discussing.
“Yes.”
“Of course he’s joining us.”
“Of course,” Adorra muttered.
“Don’t you know?” Jasmine cocked her head to the side as she studied Adorra with her hazel eyes.
