Page 125 of Ashen Torment

“Indeed?”

Isobel watches him, enthralled.

A subtle irritation grips my stomach. The horse suddenly accelerates beneath me.

Dorian senses the change and, with a sharp movement of his wrist, increases his pace accordingly. But the closer he gets, the more I feel the tension rising inside me, a knot between my chest and shoulders.

I lean over the reins, lowering my voice so only he can hear.

“You should stay beside Lady Isobel.”

Irritation ripples across his face.

“Will you stop it?”

So now he has decided to speak.

I fix my eyes on the road ahead, jaw set, wrists gripping the reins.

“Show her your kindness and thoughtfulness. I am curious to witness it.”

“You are curious?”

I do not answer.

“Fine.”

He slows down, moving closer to Isobel, and his gaze softens just a fraction.

“You are enchanting today.”

She laughs. “I thank you, Lord Dorian.”

I move ahead alone, a step in front, feeling the wind caress my face.

“Viscount, you are going a bit too fast!” Agnes calls from behind.

“I was deeply sorry, dear Isobel, not to see you at the opening of the garden organized by the Viscount.”

“Me too,” she replies, “I would have liked to attend.”

I accelerate, feeling my heart pumping forcefully, blood pulsing in my temples.

What the fuck is he doing?

He continues.

“Those flowers were truly delightful... but not as much as you.”

I hear the light smack of a kiss on a hand, the rustle of skin against skin.

I do not see it, but heat floods my cheeks instantly, my ears burning.

Without thinking, I press my heels into the horse’s flanks, and he obeys with a decisive leap.

We leave everyone behind, hooves thunder on the frozen earth, the wind howling through the branches.

I must get as far away as possible.