“Did I?” The corner of his mouth curled as he shrugged out of his jacket and set it down on a crate.
Unease churned in her stomach.
“I should get back,” she said, starting toward the exit. “Before Gideon comes looking for me.”
William blocked her path. “Oh, don’t worry about that. Your husband has his hands full. He and Abbie are in your cabin. I’m sure they’ll be a while.”
Rune halted, her heart sinking like a stone.
He took a slow step toward her. “You deserve someone who sees you, darling. A man who reciprocates your adoration.”
Rune took a step back, trying to keep some distance between them. “I think you have the wrong impression.”
“Oh?” he said, coming closer.
“I’m… in love with my husband.”
The backs of Rune’s legs hit something hard. She glanced over her shoulder to find a crate behind her, and several more stacked behind it. When she turned to him again, William was directly in front of her.
“That’s the sad thing, isn’t it?” William lifted his hand. Ran the backs of his fingers across her cheekbone.
Rune stiffened beneath his touch.
“It’s obvious to anyone with eyes that you pine for a man who doesn’t want you.” He tucked a lock of stray hair behind her ear. “Unlike your husband, I knew from the moment I saw you that you were special.”
Through the cloth of her dress, Rune checked the knife she kept strapped to her thigh. She would use it if she had to.
But only if she had to.
“I’m flattered,” she said. “Truly. But I’ve had too many men in my life lately. I’m trying to pare back…”
She ducked under his arm, whirling to face his back as she moved toward the door. She’d gotten what she came here for. This room was big enough to hide three witches—herself, the sibyl, and the missing heir—though it might be tight.
“Do you like cards?” she asked.
William didn’t bother following. Only pivoted to watch her with a look that made her skin prickle. When she’d finally put enough space between them, she turned toward the door, her back to him. “We could go upstairs and play a round of—”
“I was hoping for something more intimate.”
The click of a cocked pistol made Rune freeze.
“Turn around, Crimson Moth.”
The breath shuddered out of her.
He knows who I am.
Rune stared at the door, contemplating making a run for it. William had left it open a crack.
His clothes rustled as he moved toward her.
“Turn around,witch, or I’ll shoot.”
Rune let out a slow breath and did as he said.
The barrel of his gun was pointed at her head.
This was it, then. Her flirtatious games had finally caught up to her.
