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I shifted my stance and reached for the nearest sapling. My fingers curled around the bark as if the thin trunk could ground me.

Isabella wrapped her arms around herself, rubbing them as if to ward off a chill. My jaw clenched tight to see her suffering. It was the smallest of tells, but it was there.

A shiver rattled through Isabella’s small frame. She stopped short, turned quickly, and swept a sharp, penetrating gaze in my direction.

Fuck…. It was though she could feel me.

Which made complete sense, because the animal instinct raging my chest was highly in tune with her.

“Go back inside, bella,” I mouthed. My knuckles turned white as I gripped the tree. With the right amount of pressure, I could snap the thing from its newly rooted spot.

“Jaxon,” Isabella whispered.

Dammit.

Her summons gutted me like a knife. A monster like me, with too much blood on my hands, had no business going to a radiant being like her.

Yet my feet moved of their own accord. The cover of darkness fell away as I slipped out of the tree cover.

Isabella’s keen gaze cut to mine, pinning me in place.

“You came,” she murmured. There was wonder in her voice where there should have been hate.

“You called.”

One shoulder lifted in a shrug. “I know you’ve been sneaking around.”

I ground my teeth. There was no way she should know that.

“My dishes don’t walk themselves to the kitchen.” She laughed roughly and shook her head.

That happened one time. Nights ago. I caught myself, the old habit dying hard. I actually went to return her plate and wineglass, but the guards were doing a sweep, and I had to move before I was discovered.

“But I knew before that. I know when you’re watching me.” Isabella lifted her fingers and brushed them absently across the back of her neck.

“You need to stay indoors, especially at night,” I cautioned, forcing my voice to be gentle.

Isabella shook her head. “No! No, I won’t be kept a prisoner in my own home. Never again.”

“Then they have to do a better job protecting you,” I growled and took a purposeful step forward.

When she didn’t back up or run away, I moved again.

“You said thatyouwould protect me,” she accused.

“I am.”

She swept both hands around. “Then why are you hiding like a thief in the night!”

Because…you haven’t wanted to see me!

I pressed my lips tight to keep from shouting at her.

Two more steps, and I was on her. My fingers gripped her waist. A quick tug, and she was in my arms.

“I will always watch over you, even if you don’t want me around,” I breathed.

Her eyes narrowed to slits. “I hate that you won’t come inside. You don’t belong out here lurking about.”