Free Missing Lily (Tales of Dalthia) by Annette K. Larsen Page A

had caused tears to cloud my vision.   I put my fingers over my lips and breathed evenly, my eyes closed. The letter belonged to Tobias. Rhys wasn’t a traitor. Of course he wasn’t.
    Rhys stepped up behind me. I felt him there, even though he didn’t touch me. “Did he hurt you?”
    I blew out a breath. “No. He frightened me, but I’m well enough.”
    “That’s a relief.” My eyes flew open as I felt his words hit the back of my neck.
    He was too close. “You are getting married soon?” My question sat in the air, waiting for Rhys to breathe.
    “Relatively.” His voice was an unwilling whisper.
    My breath stuttered as I breathed in. “Then why are you standing so close to me?”
    A fraction of a moment passed before he took one step back. “My apologies, Miss Lily.”
    I waited for him to say more, but he walked out of the room and I missed him as soon as the door closed. I hadn’t meant to drive him away. Or maybe I had. It was better that he kept his distance. It was better that I kept my distance.
    My knees trembled, so I sank down into a chair. I had known this man for three days. So why was I sick to my stomach at knowing that he belonged to someone else? I had been telling myself that he was only a compassionate host, a kind soul—a friend even. Why then did I feel betrayed?  
    A knock sounded at my door and I stiffened. I wasn’t ready to face Rhys again. “Yes?” My voice quavered.
    “It’s Juliann, miss.”
    I opened the door. “Come in.”
    She bobbed a curtsey before entering with her tray of food. “Rosamond sent up a tray, since you missed dinner. She thought you might like to eat in your room, though she says you’re welcome to come eat downstairs, of course.”
    I smiled. Rosamond had a way of guessing at my moods. “I will eat here, thank you.”
    She dipped her head, then set her tray on the table before moving the chair in front of it. “Anything else I can get for you, Miss Lily?”
    I shook my head. “No, Juliann, I’ll be just fine. Thank you. And thank Rosamond for me.”
    “Of course, miss.” A final bob and she left me to eat in peace.  
    Staring at the food, I realized I wasn’t hungry, but forced myself to eat anyway. Juliann came to collect my dishes and I went to bed, wondering why Rosamond hadn’t made an appearance, wondering how the day would play out tomorrow.  
    I had practically accused the lord of the manor of making inappropriate advances on me.  
    Sleep did not come easily.

Chapter 6
    I WOKE THE next morning feeling deflated. Nothing prompted me from my bed. The anticipation of seeing Rhys was squelched by my reality. Not only was he unavailable, he didn’t even know my real name. I thought long and hard about just telling him the truth, but couldn’t bring myself to do it. He was going to get married, and I felt certain that my heartache would be less knowing that he had never known the real me.
    I had to get home today. Surely the river had had time enough to recede to a safe level. And the roads had been practically dry last night. It was time for me to leave. As much as I wanted to continue feeling as though I belonged here, that wasn’t my reality.
    Throwing my covers back, I hurried to ready myself for the day. I had never learned to set my own hair and simply left it loose. There was no one I needed to impress.
    I wrapped myself in a shawl to ward off the morning chill and left my room, intent on getting downstairs to breakfast so that I could take my leave.
    I took the servants’ stairs in an effort to avoid both Fallon men. They led directly into the kitchen and were closed in on both sides. Halfway down, my feet stumbled to a halt when I saw Tobias leaning casually against the wall. Had he nothing better to do than stalk me? My body stiffened and I drew closer to the opposite wall. He just kept me fixed in his gaze, waiting to strike, and I stifled the urge to cry out for help. This was his house, after all. I was the intruder,