Chapter 25
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Wynn
After Julian left with Edward, something began to niggle at my mind. Julian spoke as though he were some sort of bad guy, but aside from being a little—okay, a lot—obsessed with me marrying him, he didn’t seem like some psychopath.
I left the room and moved about the residence. There had to be a story hidden in this castle, probably in all of them. I walked from room to room and only tripped on the carpet once, so that was good. I remembered all these places from the tour Julian had taken me on.
What was I doing? There wasn’t anything about this place that was terrifying. I entered the library and sat on one of the wingback chairs near the bay window.
“Sir, could I get you a beverage?” I didn’t know the woman’s name, but I’d seen her around.
“I’m good, thanks.” When she turned to leave, I stopped her. “Is there like a basement or attic to this castle?”
Her eyes widened briefly. “Uh, no attic, sir. There’s a basement, but I’m afraid no one is allowed down there.”
“Flooding?”
She shook her head but didn’t offer anything further. Okay, weird.
“Okaaaaay, why can’t anyone go to the basement?”
She peeked over her shoulder and stepped closer. “Orders.”
“For staff?”
“For everyone but the prince or royal family.”
Maybe there were family secrets they didn’t want anyone to know…and wasn’t that exactly what I needed?
“Oh, I understand. Is there, like, a key?”
“Sir.” She stepped even closer. “I beg of you, please leave it be.” If I hadn’t known better, I’d have said she was afraid.
“Okay, sorry. I’ll talk to the prince about it.”
She pinched her lips together and sighed. “I don’t think that is a wise idea.”
I stood and moved closer to her. “You’re scared.”
She glanced up at me, her green eyes riddled with worry. “The prince, he’s a good leader, and when the throne is passed to him, I believe he will rule well. My mother always told me, sometimes to get what we need we must close our eyes and not see how it’s done.”
“What does that even mean?”
“It means, love the prince and not the beast.”
What the fuck was she talking about? “Beast?”
She looked over her shoulder again. “I’ll simply tell you this.
I don’t know the what, or many details, but the prince is not to be trifled with.
There’s darkness in him, but it doesn’t touch what’s good.
That’s truly all I know.” She reached out and gripped my hand.
“Please, remove all thoughts about the basement.” Then she was gone.
Dinner was just Julian and me, and it was really nice. I was sure I should have heeded the woman’s warning, but my ADHD brain had latched on and wouldn’t let go.
“So…” I peeked up from my plate.
Julian looked at me. “So?”
“I heard there was a basement in this castle but that it was off limits.”
He froze in mid-wipe of his mouth. “You heard?”
“Okay, I asked someone and they said there was one, but it was only for the royal family.”
He didn’t blink. His attention was fully on me and if I had to guess, he was having some sort of internal struggle. I waited him out; rushing him wouldn’t be a good idea.
Finally, he relaxed in his chair. “It’s where the secrets are.”
“Then shouldn’t I see it?”
“Wynn.” He sighed.
“You don’t want me to see this super-secret side of yourself, and that’s fine.
I’m not gonna ask you again.” I stood and tossed my napkin onto my plate.
“But without knowing all of you, there’s no point in waiting to tell you I won’t be marrying you.
I can’t be halfway into a relationship, especially if it’s forever. ”
“Wynn, please, you don’t understand.”
“You’re right, I don’t, and isn’t that the problem?” I turned on my heel and left the dining room.
There was no way I would be able to sleep in the same room with him because no matter how hurt or upset I was with him, if he touched me, I’d cave and get lost in him, and I had to be strong.
I quickly went to his bedroom, grabbed my toiletry bag, pajamas, and clothes for the next day. It was all I needed. After that, I went a few doors down to another bedroom and locked myself inside.
I wasn’t sure if I was being silly or childish. People were allowed to have secrets, but when Julian had said it was something that would make me run, that he was what was lurking in the dark, I couldn’t ignore that. It felt vital to know.
Fuck! I went into the en suite and decided I’d take a shower. Maybe I just needed to wash away the day and get a good night’s sleep. Tomorrow would hopefully bring me clarity.
I stripped and got into the shower, my brain going a mile a minute. I should have a nightcap, maybe it’ll help me sleep.
I got out, dried, and dressed in my pajamas. I stepped out of the bathroom and froze. Julian was sitting in a chair on the far side of the bed. His eyes were shadowed, he was clenching his jaw, and if looks could have killed, I feared I’d be dead.
“What are you doing?” His voice was like gravel.
“About to go to bed. Why are you in here?” I should have known he’d have a key to every room.
He stood abruptly and instinct told me to step away, but I stayed put. He stopped an inch from me.
“Why are you in here?”
“I need to be alone.”
He moved so fast, I had no time to react. His hand gripped my neck, and he pushed me against the doorframe. It didn’t hurt, but I gasped.
“You sleep beside me, Wynn.”
“Not tonight, I don’t.” Every nerve ending told me to shut up, that I was in the presence of a predator. But there was another something that told me Julian wouldn’t hurt me.
“This isn’t open for discussion.” With that, he lifted me up into a fireman’s carry and carted me out of the bedroom.
“Put me down!” I pounded on any part of his body I could.
“In a minute.”
“Now!”
A beat later I was being flipped, and I landed on his bed. “You need to understand something, Wynn. You run, I will follow you. I will catch you. I will bring you right back here to me.”
I narrowed my eyes. “If my running just makes you chase me, why not just tell me your secrets. If I leave, you’ll find me, right?”
“Always.”
“Then tell me!” I shouted, and he didn’t even flinch.
“Fine. You want to see who I really am?”
“Yes. God, yes.”
He nodded. “Tomorrow night, I’ll show you.
” He stalked closer and hovered above me.
“But understand this, Wynn. Once you know, you can never leave. Be sure this is what you want. After you see who I am, I won’t entertain your threats of leaving anymore.
” He pointed to the pillow. “I’m taking a shower; don’t leave this room. ”
He slammed the bathroom door, and a tendril of fear climbed up my spine.
What the fuck did I get myself into?