The night air wrapped around them like a cold embrace as they walked in silence.
Seraphina pulled the borrowed shawl tighter around her shoulders, her steps uneasy on the lonely road. The farther they walked from the car, the more her gut twisted.
She had never walked alone with a man at night.
Even disguised as commoners, she felt exposed, vulnerable.
What if someone recognized Damien? A priest walking with a woman at this hour would raise eyebrows, no matter how well they blended in.
But when she glanced at him, he walked with confidence. No hesitation, no discomfort—as if he had done this before.
The thought unsettled her.
But Seraphina shook it off. She was just overthinking.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, a dimly lit building appeared in the distance.
The guesthouse.
It stood like a forgotten relic, its flickering yellow sign barely hanging on to life. The small entrance was lined with dusty potted plants, and a single bulb outside the door cast eerie shadows on the walls.
Seraphina hesitated at the entrance, her heart pounding.
“Stay here,” Damien instructed, his voice firm. “I’ll handle everything.”
She nodded, watching as he disappeared inside.
For a moment, she was alone.
The night felt too still.
Seraphina glanced around uneasily, her fingers playing with the hem of her dress. The wind howled through the trees in the distance, and suddenly, the road behind them felt endless.
Damien took longer than expected.
She shifted on her feet. Why was it taking so long?
Just as she considered stepping inside to check, the door creaked open.
Damien stepped out. His face unreadable.
For a second, he just stared at her.
Then, with a small sigh, he finally spoke.
“There’s only one room left.”
Seraphina froze.
Her heart dropped.
“What?” she whispered.
Damien sighed again, rubbing the back of his neck. “It’s the only option we have.”
Her pulse thundered in her ears. Share a room? With him?
No. That wasn’t right.
She took a small step back. “I-I can sleep in the lobby.”
Damien shook his head. “It’s not safe, Seraphina.” His voice softened, almost… too gentle. “Don’t you trust me?”
That made her pause.
She did trust him.
Didn’t she?
She swallowed hard. Her mind screamed no, but her lips didn’t move.
Then, as if sensing her hesitation, he smiled.
Not his usual smile.
Something… different.
Something that made her feel small.
“Come on,” he murmured. “We’ll be gone by morning.”
Seraphina took a slow, shaky breath.
Then, against every instinct screaming inside her—
She stepped forward.
And the door shut behind them.
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