Free Dark Diary by P. Anastasia Page B

the rib of her dress. The velvety ties loosened and I pulled them free, making her dress loose enough for her to wriggle the other sleeve down and off her shoulder. It was a painfully conscious decision to delay the intense urges pulsing through me, but I wanted to grant her the satisfaction of every second possible. It became even more difficult as my fingers traversed the bare skin of her thigh. There was no turning back.
    “ Matthaya …” the word escaped her in a heated exhalation as her knees pressed into my sides.
    My heart raced. Her hands drove through my hair and she pulled me down to her lips again. I was lost in her sensual breath… her sweet scent…
    I took a breath from her kiss and balanced my weight upon my palm to reach down and unbuckle the clasp of my belt. The subtle clinking noise was interrupted by another.
    My ears caught the quiet sound of a door opening and closing down the hall.
    “What was that?” I asked, quickly sliding the tip of the belt back into the loop atop the buckle.
    “I heard nothing,” Kathryn replied with a frustrated scoff. She curled her fingers around the hem of my shirt and tugged me closer.
    The tiny hairs on the back of my neck stiffened.
    Someone was awake.
    “Forgive me, Kathryn,” I said, kissing her briefly. I lifted my leg over hers and got off her bed. “I heard someone stirring,” I continued, searching frantically nearby for the ties to my tunic. “I am sure of it.”
    She rolled onto her side to face me. Anger creased her brow. “It is surely nothing to be concerned with, Matthaya.” Her voice rose. “Matthaya?”
    “ Shhh… ” I raised my fingers in a gesture to silence her and then listened.
    A clicking noise?
    My head turned.
    The lock!
    I couldn’t make the patio doors in time to escape the sound of her bedroom door unlocking from the outside . Kathryn rushed toward it and thrust her weight against the door.
    “Let me in, Kathryn!” Lord Shallon’s voice boomed.
    I snatched the chair from her writing desk and wedged it under the handle of her door. It would buy us some time, but not much.
    Kathryn turned to me. “Take Raven and get out of here,” she said. “You can return for me later.”
    “I know that boy is with you,” Lord Shallon roared, bashing his fists against the door. “Let me in!”
    “I won’t go without you.” I took her hands. “I can’t lose you.”
    “You’ll be faster without me and no good to me dead.” She unhooked her necklace. “Take this,” she whispered, quickly placing it in my hand and closing my fingers around it. “May God protect you always,” she added, hesitating to take her hands from me. “Return it to me. Please.”
    I heard wood splitting; the door wouldn’t hold much longer.
    We hurried to the balcony and I leapt over the banister to climb down.
    “Do not look back! I will wait for you,” she said, stretching her hand out to me as I dropped from her reach. “I love you, Matthaya!”
    My feet had just hit the ground when the words slipped from her lips, more faithful than ever. I turned my back to head to the stable, but my heavy heart stopped me.
    There was no time!
    I shook my head and gritted my teeth at myself for hesitating, but I had no choice. I flung a hand back up onto the balcony post and climbed back to where Kathryn was. She was holding her breath and fearfully watching the door.
    “Kathryn,” I said, pulling myself up to her level.
    She turned and gasped. I didn’t give her a chance to speak.
    “I will always love you, Kathryn. I will return for you. I swear it.” I tightened my grip on the banister with one hand and reached out to pull her back to me and kiss her goodbye.
    Her bedroom door burst open.
    I climbed halfway down to the first floor and then braced myself for the remaining drop.
     
    Raven awoke with a startled jolt and came to his feet as quickly as I had flung open the stall door. I tangled my fingers into the base of his mane, leapt onto his back, and held