Page 76 of Eternally Bound
He hesitated for a minute before caressing her cheek with his thumb. She caught his hand when he went to pull it away.
“If we had been a normal man and woman, I would have chosen you,” she told him.
His hand enclosed on hers. “Take the time you need,” he murmured, and before she could reply, he was gone.
***
Kadence moved swiftly down the hall. She glanced behind her at Ronan’s closed door, but she knew he wasn’t in there. He hadn’t entered his room when he left hers. She didn’t know where he’d gone. She descended the stairs and hurried to the front door. The gate wasn’t blocking it this time.
She glanced up at the cameras on either side of the door, but no one emerged to stop her when she continued toward it. Grasping the knob, she turned it and pulled it open. Sunlight spilled across her as she walked outside and lifted her face to absorb its warmth.
A few birds sang in the barren trees lining the drive. Their melodious songs floated across the vast expanse of snow-covered lawn. The lawn rolled forth as far as she could see. Trees were spaced throughout, and though they had no leaves, she’d spent enough time wandering the stronghold and studying nature books to know that they were maples, pears, cherries, apples, and oaks. The leaves and flowers on them would be breathtaking in the spring.
If she didn’t look at the house, it was actually beautiful here.
A large garden was set around a giant fountain in the center of the yard. The plants within were all bare or buried beneath the snow, and the fountain was off, but she was drawn toward it. She stopped at the edge of the fountain and slid her hands into the sleeves of her coat as a breeze blew over the land, lifting snow and swirling it around her. She smiled as she studied the marble cupid in the middle of the fountain. She’d bet anything Ronanhatedit.
She looked at the sky again, her head falling back as she threw her arms wide and closed her eyes. Over the years, the sun had never failed to make her feel better if she was sad or lost, and this may be her very last day experiencing its rays.
Tears brimmed in her eyes and slid down her cheeks.
***
“What is she doing?” Declan asked as he unwrapped a lollipop and stuck it in his mouth. Ronan had no idea why he’d started sucking on the candy a couple months ago, but it had become his new thing.
Declan plopped his feet on the desk and leaned back in the desk chair. “I’m not sure,” Ronan replied as he focused on Kadence making her way toward that hideous fountain.
“Perhaps the mortal simply needed fresh air,” Saxon suggested.
“Or perhaps she’s going to make a run for it,” Lucien drawled.
“Probably straight into the enemy’s arms,” Killean said.
“She’s not going to make a run for it,” Declan replied and bit down. “Ugh.” Grabbing the trashcan, he pulled it forward and spit the remains of the lollipop into it.
“What is it with you and those human things?” Lucien demanded.
Declan set the can down and leaned back in his chair again. “I’m trying to figure out how many licks it takes to get to the center, but I keep biting into it before I get there.”
“Why on earth are you doing that?” Saxon asked.
“Might as well solve the mysteries I can in this world,” Declan said.
Ronan sensed more behind the man’s words and his newfound obsession with human snacks than Declan was saying, but he let it go.
Tears streaked Kadence’s face as the sun glistened upon her.
“Why is she crying?” Lucien asked.
“Shit,” Ronan hissed as realization sank in.
“What is it?” Declan inquired.
“She doesn’t know,” he murmured. “I didn’t tell her.”
“Tell her what?” Saxon asked.
“That we are able to go out in the sun.”
