Page 78 of When Ashes Fall

That was also very true, but I didn’t like it. Unable to stay completely still, I shifted a little; sharp points jabbed me when I did.

What is that?

To answer my question, I’d have to move, but I wasn’t ready to face the day and Knox. However, I couldn’t hide here forever; he’d realize I was awake and being a coward about facing him.

I refused to be a coward.

Gritting my teeth, I resolved to face him as I pushed the blanket off my head and sat up. I’d fallen asleep in the middle of the bed, away from the pillows and amid the torn mattress, sheets, and comforter. The annoying things poking me were the small quills of the feathers scattered across the bed.

I surveyed the wreckage with a heavy heart. The cabin was in pristine condition when we entered, and the bed was a scattered mess around me. Not only that, but blood stained the blanket and mattress.

I surveyed the room, expecting to discover Knox in one of the chairs or at a window. I didn’t see him anywhere.

The bathroom door was open, and while I couldn’t see into the shadowed interior, I knew he wasn’t there. I didn’t have to get up to see more of the kitchen and pantry either; he was gone.

I didn’t know when he left, but the cold feeling enveloping the cabin made me suspect it was hours ago. The ache in my body was nothing compared to the hand that tore into my chest and squeezed my heart.

I hadn’t been foolish enough to think last night would change things between us, but I hadn’t… hadn’t…

What? I asked myself. Hadn’t expected to be abandoned the next day?

He wouldn’t abandon me; he’d be too afraid I’d take off if he did.

Maybe he just wanted to get away from you.

I’m the one who wants to get away from him.

Or maybe he’s taking care of Magnazius.

That was a possibility, but I knew it wasn’t right. He’d been gone for a while. The bed where he’d been was cold, and the empty feeling of the cabin wasn’t new.

I didn’t miss that I was sitting there, amid the wreckage of us, arguing with myself, but I really didn’t know what else to do.

Get up, clean this mess, and get out of here. You don’t need him.

I didn’t need him, but I wanted him. I hated that truth.

Move!

I threw the blanket aside, clambered out of bed, and strode over to one of the windows. The sky was back to its usual flat gray color, and the rain had stopped. Puddles pooled on the grass and roadway, and rain still beaded on the railing and porch chairs.

Nothing stirred, but I’d already known I wouldn’t find Knox there. Hugging myself, I tried to ignore the grief welling within me. It made me forget about my sore body.

Did you expect to wake up nestled in his arms, all warm and happy? Did you expect to discover Seth had somehow miraculously returned?

Did you think you have a magic pussy that would restore everything to the way it was?

I scowled at that question. I didn’t think I had anything magic between my legs or that a miracle would somehow occur, but I hadn’t expected to wake up alone.

He was out there, somewhere; I was certain of it. He’d make sure I didn’t try to escape, but he didn’t want to be anywhere near me.

I knew he’d hate himself and me if we had sex again, and I was right.

Tears burned my eyes, but I refused to shed them. I would not cry over this. I would not shed another tear over Knox-fucking-North.

Turning away from the window, I stalked into the bathroom where I scrubbed myself raw in the shower. As I worked, a festering resentment built within me at the asshole who was keeping me here.

When I finished, I climbed out of the tub and studied my reflection in the mirror. I’d seen the bruises on my arms, breasts, and hips while in the shower, but I should have anticipated the bruises and red marks on my throat. Instead, the clear imprint of Knox’s fingers and claws surprised me.