Twenty-four
Crimson Ashland
When I woke up the next morning, Raoul wasn’t there. Strangely, I wasn’t relieved the way that I had been the first night in Castle Lupine. Instead, I woke up with my hands searching for him. When I found nothing but sheets, I sat up, slightly disappointed. “Raoul?” I called out.
“I’m here,” a deep voice said.
He appeared in the doorway. He was wearing his traveling cloak, and it was covered in snow. He’d been outside. “Where were you?” I asked.
“I had matters to attend to at Castle Lupine,” he said, “I’m sorry I wanted to be here when you woke. I didn’t mean to leave you.”
“Of course,” I said.
I was still in my nightgown. I got up, and I wobbled a little as I did so. He caught me in his arms. My face turned bright red.
