Page 65 of Fallen Nocturne

He turns to face me.

His expression is unreadable at first, but color sits high on his cheekbones. A flush that was not there before.

He is embarrassed too.

We stare at each other across the cottage. The fire crackles between us. Outside, the forest has gone silent, as though the entire world is holding its breath.

I cannot speak. My mouth opens, but nothing emerges.

What could I possibly say?

Sorry for hiding in your cottage and watching you in the washroom? Lovely weather we’re having? Please kill me now?

His eyes are dark. He does not appear angry, but he does not look friendly either.

“How long?” he asks quietly.

I know what he means. How long have I been there? How much did I see?

“Since...” I swallow and try again. “Since the beginning.”

Something flickers across his face. It’s gone too fast for me to read.

I want to explain and find the words that would make this less horrible. But there are no such words.

He takes a step toward me.

I retreat and strike the wall behind me.

“I’m not going to hurt you,” he says, and something almost like amusement enters his voice. “Though I think we both know who the victim is in this particular situation.”

Heat floods my face. I cannot meet his eyes, so I stare at the floor instead. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have... I’ll leave now.”

“You followed me through the city, tracked me through the forest and entered my cottage without permission.” His voice remains calm, which somehow makes everything worse. “Leaving now will not make that disappear.”

My pulse pounds in my throat. I need to regain control of this conversation somehow. Any way I can.

“I heard you say my name,” I whisper.

He goes still.

“Why?” The question emerges small and confused. It is completely inappropriate after everything I have done, but I cannot stop myself from asking.

He is quiet for a long moment.

“Because,” he says finally, his voice rough, “I cannot stop thinking about you.”

I finally look up at him.

His expression is raw. All the careful control is stripped away. The air feels too thick to breathe.

“Oh,” I manage.

He runs a hand through his hair. “You watched. Why?”

It’s his turn now. My stomach twists itself into a knot. I don’t have a good answer.

“I don’t know,” I whisper.