Her parents would have fluttered around the kitchen nervously, bidding the cooks return to work. Her twin brothers would have been tasked with hauling in the luggage, while their stable hand would have likely woken where he slept in the loft above the horse’s stalls. It would have been up to Ravenna to check the latecomers in with a gracious smile. She had done it many times.
But now her parents would have to make do without her.
“Through here,” Amina said, using an iron key to unlock a room at the end of the corridor. “The rest of the party are in rooms next to yours.”
Ravenna didn’t think her mood could worsen, but somehow it did. She was surrounded by immortals on both sides.
“We’ll need two chairs, please,” the guard with a scar said gruffly, gesturing to either side of the doorway.
Amina’s dark brows rose, crescent moons framing her pretty face. “Certainly.”
Ravenna stared at the guard, anger licking up her spine. They intended to spend theentirenight outside her bedroom door. That was one exit out of her reach.
Madonna santa.
“If you need anything else, please don’t hesitate to ask,” Amina said with a quick glance at Ravenna. It was only the length of a single breath, but Ravenna caught the hint of worry, concern, for her. Then Amina gave another curious glance to the two guards before she nimbly skirted around them, her footsteps quiet against the rug-covered floor.
The guard gestured to the open door. “You may freshen up for dinner.”
Ravenna glowered at him before marching inside and firmly shutting the door behind her, only for him to open it a second later.
“This stays open,” he said in a tone brooking no argument.
Then he moved out of view, presumably to make himself available to receive the chairs. She turned away from the door with a stifled sigh, her gaze immediately latching on to the window. Her mind worked on a possible escape route as she crossed the room, making quick work of opening the wooden shutters. Wind rustled through the trees, teasing her hair, and she could make out the sounds of a horse pulling a cart toward the stables. It was too dark to see below clearly, but Ravenna could just make out the outline of a prickly hedge. Uncomfortable to land on, but bearable.
While everyone else slept for the night, she’d open the window, head to the stables… steal ahorse?
Her stomach twisted—she’d never stolen anything before in her life. It didn’t sit well with her, but what else could she do? It was too far of a walk, not to mention potentially dangerous. The path wasn’t straightforward, she could lose her way or run into bandits.
“I wouldn’t, if I were you.”
Ravenna stiffened. She looked over her shoulder at the immortal blocking the only way out of the room. Cavaliere Saturnino returned her stare dispassionately, his expression stony. He’d taken off his armor, but he still looked imposing. Formidable. A lock of his black hair fell at an angle across his pale brow.
“Wouldn’t what?” she asked.
“Jump.”
Ravenna turned away from the window, her pulse skipping. She stayed where she was, close to the wall, conscious of the bed between them, the centerpiece of the spacious room. Luxurious linens draped each end in rich, deep colors: burgundy, emerald, ochre. A lightweight woolen blanket woven with geometric patterns sat folded at the foot. Small wooden tables on opposite sides of the bed held brass oil lamps, their bases engraved with delicate swirls.
“I wasn’t planning on jumping,” Ravenna lied.
“Well…” He drew out the word slowly. “If you were, you should know that it would bemefollowing in your pursuit.” His white teethgleamed in the soft candlelight. He took a step forward, and then another. His frame seemed to take up the entire space. She couldn’t run past him even if her shoes had wings like the ancient Roman god Mercury. “And I always find my mark.”
Ravenna lifted her chin. “Stop threatening me.”
“It wasn’t a threat, but a warning.”
“You’re trying to frighten me.”
“I’m trying to keep you from doing anything foolish.”
Ravenna folded her arms across her chest. “Well,” she said, mimicking his slow drawl, “if you hadn’t kidnapped me then I wouldn’t have to contemplate a dangerous trek through the night back to Volterra.”
“Kidnapping is a strong word.”
She narrowed her eyes. “What would you call it?”
“Think of it as an opportunity.”
