seemed even quieter after the
. It thundered like she'd just run miles. Her pulse was high,
nothing left to lose... and for a split se
ty? Rec
it a
orridor like a ghost in a waistcoat. "Wo
than
hogany. Everything about the Cross estate was grand, quietly intimidating,
t luxury. It was grief. Fro
g here during your term. Meals are brought to the dining room at eight, one, an
ena said, steppi
ft bedding. But like the rest of the mansion, it had that s
you,
leaving, he turned wit
fix him too fast. He's like a piano with missing keys,
a bl
lightly and disapp
alone in
... she
lmost li
pi
e the hands playing it couldn't dec
ollow
ntings and arched windows.
in front of one. B
as coming f
aned c
sic st
once and then locked w
th caught in her throat.
oment. No sound. No
sil
hat room... was n
orning, sh
: observation, basic mobility drills, low-pressure questions. If he refused again, she'd start with somethin
ened before
s sta
n loose gray sweats and a black T-shirt that clung
touched. His right side
dn't
t close the
step
couch, grimacing as he lowe
d, walking over. "You sto
he said quietly. "Doe
e to like it.
mirk, gone as
sistance band and kne
rve your quad e
serving everything
e him, close, b
ight leg off the flo
uscle trembled
. Now
her. Stronger
he stronger side and work
baby steps," h
s low. Angry
at anger, she
ping. Your body remembers pain even when your mind
to him. "Wrap this around your le
Silent.
at was dotting his tem
ay?" sh
made of
ly. "You're made of iron. But e
on ended
d up. But as she turned to l
dered la
fr
your fo
th those steel eyes ag
ano?" she as
ce sti
om's off
use o
dn't
back slowly t
isn't there?" she asked. "O
aw ti
here to as
p you heal. But heal
s
ame like a warning. "T
happens if
burning
"You l
, she drea
eams. A woman crying o
an's
sweat, hand clu
But it felt... too
eded a
, Morris app
asked casually, "Who taug
s hes
e, miss. Tha
oice called
as A
ining ro
ly. Painfully
ut a
ro
st time, she no
f his wrist was
ded, barel
only o
omi