We were just outside the breakfast hall when I grasped Theo’s sleeve, forcing him to acknowledge me. Even though Theo had been keeping his distance, he’d been even more protective, if it was possible. He refused to let me walk into any room first. He was constantly on guard.
“Ask me a truth or promise,” I said, tugging on his sleeve, wrinkling the perfect press. He turned around, shoulders tensed.
I took a step anyway, reaching for him. “Ask me.”
“Rethink that step.” The hate in his growl could set a house on fire.
I paused.
Had I really messed everything up so badly?
A moment passed, and then I noticed he wasn’t looking at me. I followed his stare over my shoulder. Ned was frozen mid step.
That was all Theo said. He hadn’t moved from his spot behind me, arms folded as usual, head slightly down like he was bored at a concert. But it was all he needed to say. Menace dripped off him.
Ned took a step back. “Guess the rumors about your dog are true…”
He smiled somewhat nervously, looking over my shoulder.
“He bites,” I said.
“I’m just here to remind you you’ll be sitting next to me tomorrow at lunch,” Ned said, though he didn’t take his eyes off Theo.
“Great,” I said, disdain oozing from my lips.
“You can’t be there all the time, dog,” Ned said, eyes on Theo.
A foreign look flickered across Theo’s face. Fear?
That couldn’t be right.
When he saw me watching him, it vanished.
Theo leaned forward until he was over my shoulder, just next to my face. He clamped his teeth harsh and fast, the sound echoing, the motion fluttering the hair at my neck.
It made goose bumps of excitement pepper my flesh, but Ned jumped and scampered inside the dining hall.
The moment filled like a balloon, popping with our simultaneous laughter. For a minute I thought the mess I’d made last night was over, but then I caught his gaze as
I wiped a tear from my eye, and his smile dropped. Silence descended once more.
“Theo—”
“Breakfast, Ms. Crowne,” Theo cut me off, throwing his arm out toward the dining hall.
I studied his face, waiting—hoping he’d look back at me with anything other than boredom and disdain.
Then I sighed and walked inside the dining hall.
THEO
Abigail fell asleep late into the night, and now I dug my elbows into my knee, my chin on steepled hands, watching her.
I couldn’t sleep, couldn’t stop thinking. Edward knew the truth long before it hit me brutal and hard. He was untouchable.
“These little dates of ours are growing too common.”
I lifted my head.