“I will.”
Another lie. It was becoming a habit when she talked to him.
He stared at her for a moment before he brushed a gentle kiss across her forehead and finally left.
The moment the door closed, Mallory sagged against it. Her whole body trembled.
“I’m sorry,” she whispered to the empty room.
Then she pulled out her phone. Her hands shook as she opened the message thread.
No new texts.
Panic fluttered through her chest as she typed quickly.
Please. I’m sorry I didn’t come. He stopped me. Give me another chance. I’ll be there. I swear.
She stared at the screen and waited. And waited. And waited.
Nothing.
Mallory sat on the edge of the bed and tried again.
I’ll do whatever you want. Just tell me where and when. Please don’t hurt her.
An hour later, still nothing.
The silence felt heavier than any reply could have. Finally the fear she’d been holding back all night broke loose.
Mallory curled up on the bed and cried. Quiet, desperate tears that she didn’t dare let anyone hear soaked her face. She cried for Meg, for the years of not knowing, for the impossible situation she was trapped in, and for the man down the hall who only wanted to protect her.
Somewhere in the middle of it all, exhaustion pulled her under.
When she woke, pale winter light filtered through the curtains. For a moment she forgot everything.
Then from somewhere tangled in the sheets, her phone buzzed. Mallory desperately dug around for it and found it half under her pillow.
A new message. Her pulse pounded as she opened it.
If you fail again, you won’t get another opportunity to save your sister. Will text tomorrow.
Below it was another map pin. This time it was a different place, much deeper in the mountains.
Final.
The word seemed to hang unspoken between the lines. Mallory pressed the phone to her chest.
“Okay,” she whispered. “Okay. I’ll be there.”
She needed to find a heavier jacket and better boots. This hike wasn’t going to be easy if she had to penetrate the mountains. But this time, she would not let anyone stop her.
Not even Jakob, no matter how much that broke her heart.
Despite a sleepless night, by morning she had managed to pull herself together enough to look almost normal.
Her plan to avoid Jakob at all costs disintegrated before she even had a cup of coffee. He waited for her in the kitchen, and she had to wonder if he had waited there all night. He insisted on spending the day with her, as if he were afraid to let her out of his sight.
Despite her protests, she finally caved in when he invited her to the farmer’s market that was held inside the castlecourtyard. It was a cheerful winter tradition filled with local vendors, music, and the smell of fresh bread.
