He started to close the door.
“Why are you doing this?” She kept her voice steady.
He paused for a moment, his eyes unreadable beneath the mask. “Let’s just say you’re an unexpected complication.”
The villain stood at the doorway. With the light from behind him, all she could see was his menacing silhouette. Slowly, he walked in front of her. “You must be wondering what happens next.” His voice was harsh. His gaze lingered on her, as if reassessing something. Then, with a swift tug, he yanked off her cap. Her breath hitched as her hair tumbled free, cascading down her back. A slow smirk curled his lips. “Well, well.”
“Perhaps you’re hoping for a swift rescue. A valiant duke, perhaps. So brave and trustworthy. Ha, if only you knew the truth. But until then, you’ll have to make do with your surroundings.”
He stepped closer, his eyes glinting with cruel amusement. “That bed,” he gestured with a nod, “might seem like a place of rest. But it can easily become a place where your worst fears come to life, should you choose not to cooperate.”
Lora’s breath hitched, the insinuation clear and terrifying. He wouldn’t dare. She didn’t trust herself to speak. Instead, she lifted her chin and locked eyes with an unwavering, hard glint. She ignored the chill that ran down her spine and commanded her heart to stop pounding. Her thoughts raced, searching for a way out, a strategy to survive.
She could almost hear Rockford’s voice.Fear clouds judgment.Rockford faced danger countless times and remained calm, and so would she.Concentrate on finding the solution rather than dwelling on the obstaclewas his strategy. If he could remain composed and fearless, so could she. Lora pushed back the fear that threatened to take over.
The villain chuckled, the sound unsettling. “Rest well, my lady. You’ll need your strength. I enjoy a challenge.”
Before she could respond, he closed the door, the lock clicking into place with an unnerving finality. The room shrank around her, and for a moment, she could only hear the frantic rhythm of her heartbeat.
Left alone, she took a deep breath, allowing herself a moment to calm down amid the dust and moldy smell of the room. One breath, then another. Her heart was finally settling into its regular rhythm. That was when she noticed a faint scent, sharp citrus intertwined with a smoky undertone, drifting in the room, defying the stale air.
She blinked several times, adjusting her eyes to the dim light filtering through the shutters. Slowly, she turned, taking in her surroundings, and searched for a way out. The walls were solid logs. With the shutters nailed shut, the only exit was the locked door. Her gaze darted around the small chamber, noting the sparse furnishings—a simple bed draped with a worn woolen blanket.
Lora knelt and peered underneath the bed. Amidst the dust and cobwebs, she spotted a dangling slat.I enjoy a challenge.The words echoed in her head. Her stomach churned at the thought of touching the bed, but she forced herself to reach and grasp the piece of wood. The slat was rough and brittle in her hands. She wiggled it back and forth until it came free.
She stood up with the slat and brought it close to the shuttered window to examine it. A wide smile bloomed as she discovered two rusted nails protruding from the end. It was a small victory, but a victory, nonetheless.
Hefting her weapon, she found it light enough to wield swiftly and sturdy enough to deliver a decent blow if necessary. She wouldn’t be afraid to use it.
She turned her attention to the window. It was tightly nailed closed. She pressed her ear against the wooden shutter, listening intently. The outside world was muffled, a whisper of wind through leaves, the distant caw of a crow, but no voices or footsteps.
A sudden creak from beyond the door made her freeze. Muffled voices drifted in from the room beyond, heated, urgent tones. She pressed her ear against the door, straining to make sense of the indistinct words. The agitation was clear, even if the words weren’t. How many of them are there? she wondered. And what are they planning? She tried again, but the muffled voices remained unclear. Suddenly, a deep, throaty cough cut through the murmur. It was on the other side of the door.
She stepped to the far side of the room, clutching her weapon, her heart pounding. If an opportunity arose, she would not be defenseless. She waited.
Minutes stretched on, the voices in the other room rising and falling. Suddenly, the sound of hurried footsteps, boots against wooden floors. Another set, their rhythm uneven, creating a syncopated pattern that set her nerves on edge. Doors slammed, and the voices faded one by one until there was silence.
Lora pressed her ear to the door again, straining to detect any movement. Then, the creak of a floorboard nearby sent her heart into her throat. The hairs on the back of her neck rose. Someone was still there.
The unmistakable sound of a key turning in the lock reached her ears. She stepped back as the door handle slowly turned. She held her weapon behind her back and composed herself just as the door’s lock clicked.
She braced herself, every muscle tense, ready for whatever came next.
The door swung open, the burst of light blinded her. Instinctively, she shielded her eyes, blinking rapidly to adjust. Asher vision cleared, she saw a silhouetted figure step inside, his features becoming clearer as he moved closer.
“Lora?” The whisper was filled with urgency and disbelief.
Her eyes widened. “Rockford!” She dropped the makeshift weapon and rushed into his arms, the fear and tension melting away in his embrace. The warmth of his body, the solidity of his presence, grounded her in a way she desperately needed. Without thinking, she tilted her face up, and their lips met in a desperate, fervent kiss.
When they finally parted, Lora rested her head against his chest, listening to his strong, steady heartbeat. Rockford gently cupped her face, his eyes searching hers, silently asking questions.
“I’m fine,” she said, answering his silent question.
He smiled briefly, the hard lines around his eyes softened.
“We can’t stay here.” She looked past him into the main room. “The highwayman, the others, they might return any moment.”
He gave a tight nod. “I doubt they will stay close by. Barrington and the others are searching the area.”
