Chapter 10
Annelise would have beenglad to sleep through the morning, but her husband woke her before the dawn. It was dark and cold in the tower chamber, for the fire had burned down to embers. Their nest within her cloak already chilled with his absence. She reached for him in the darkness, but he evaded her touch and continued todress.
“It is time to leave,” he said withresolve.
Annelise propped herself up on her elbows and gazed around the small tower room. As romantic as their time in this place had been, it was easy to yearn for the luxury they had enjoyed previously at the palace. “This place lacks somewhat in comfort. Could we sleep at the palacetonight?”
Her spouse’s lips thinned as he dressed with haste. “No. I dare not returnthere.”
That statement captured Annelise’s attention and she sat up, fully awake. “Am I not to see youagain?”
“Annelise, I do not know.” He appeared to bedistressed.
“Why do you not know?” she asked, her alarm rising. “Why not return to the palace? It is much more comfortable than this place—at least it was before it became so cursedly cold. And if we were together, regardless of the snow, we might manage to warm thebed.”
He pivoted with sudden interest, his eyes bright. “It is cold therenow?”
“Yes, the same as here. The garden is covered with snow. Did you notknow?”
“No.”
Annelise rose with a sigh and tugged on her stockings and chemise. “It is sad to see the garden. The flowers were so pretty, but I suppose winter had to come at somepoint.”
“Would you prefer it was warm?” He spoke with such intensity that Annelise glanced up athim.
“Of course. There is not a shutter in the place and the snow drifts inside. For all its discomfort, I might as well remain here with you.” She fought with the knotted string in her chemise for a moment, then flicked a glance in his direction. “I would rather remain with you in the daytime,sir.”
“You cannot.” His tone was that of a man used to making decisions and standing behind them. “You will return to the palace for theday.”
“Will you cometonight?”
“I am notcertain.”
Annelise folded her arms across her chest “What if I refuse togo?”
He glanced pointedly at the window. “Then you will not be safe. I have already told you that I take my vows seriously, and I pledged to keep you safe. Get dressed, Annelise, and hasten. We must be back at the palace before the dawn. Makehaste!”
Annelise tugged on her boots. She hastened down the stairs, vexed with him beyond belief, and began to retrace her steps toward the palace. She could still see her own footprints in the snow as well as those of thewolf.
Herhusband.
His hand closed around her elbow and he hurried heronward.
They strode onward in silence until the palace gates loomed ahead of them. Annelise briefly considered fleeing the prospect of being imprisoned thereagain.
Then her husband turned to face her, lifting her chin with one finger when she refused to look to him. She knew he would kiss her, and her anger melted at that prospect. His gaze was solemn. He meant to ensure her safety and did not think of herfreedom.
“How would you prefer it to be in the palace?” heasked.
“I cannot see how or why it matters. There are many more important issues that we mightdiscuss—”
His finger landed firmly over her lips, and—curse him— his eyestwinkled.
“Warm like summer?” he asked, as though she had saidnothing.
Despite herself, Annelise had to smile at his determination, but she smothered the smile as soon as she could. “Not too warm. Like late spring, as it was just after Iarrived.”
He turned to glare pointedly at the gates and Annelise followed his glance uncomprehendingly. “I wish that it was so,” he said, and she recalled that the palace was supposed to reflect his will. Then he looked down at her and smiled so that she could not take a full breath. “I entreat you to take Mephistopheles for a ride for me, please, and give him my regrets for my inattention.” He studied her. “Willyou?”
