Ashes of Thornwood

Chapter 19

The sun hung low in the sky, casting a golden hue over the sprawling fields of Thornewood as Lottie, Sebastian, and I strolled together. The crisp autumn air was invigorating, and for the first time in what felt like ages, there was a sense of normalcy to our day. Lottie had insisted on taking a walk around the grounds, eager to soak in the beauty of the changing leaves, and I had gladly agreed. Sebastian had joined us, his presence both comforting and unsettling in ways I was still struggling to understand.

Lottie was in high spirits, her laughter echoing through the trees as she teased me about my slow pace. "Come on, Evie! You're moving like an old woman!" she called over her shoulder, her auburn hair catching the light as she twirled around with childlike glee.

I couldn't help but laugh at her antics, feeling a warmth in my chest that I hadn't felt in a long time. "I'm coming, I'm coming!" I called back, quickening my steps to catch up with her.

Sebastian walked beside me, his hand resting lightly on my lower back. His touch was gentle, and I leaned into it, craving the connection that had been so elusive since his return. We hadn't spoken much about what had happened the night before, both of us too raw, too fragile to delve into the darkness that lurked just beneath the surface. But for now, in this moment, we were together, and that was enough.

As we reached a small grove of trees near the edge of the property, Lottie darted ahead, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Let's see who can find the most beautiful leaf!" she declared, already scanning the ground for colorful treasures.

I shook my head, smiling as I joined in her search, bending down to pick up a particularly vibrant red leaf. "I think this one might win," I said, holding it up for her to see.

Lottie gasped in mock horror, clutching her hand to her chest. "Oh no, you don't! I've got a real contender here!" She brandished a golden-yellow leaf, the edges tinged with orange.

We continued like this for several minutes, laughing and comparing our finds, until I heard a low chuckle from Sebastian. I glanced over at him, finding his expression warm, though there was a darkness in his eyes that I couldn't quite place.

"Having fun, you two?" he asked, his voice smooth but tinged with something I couldn't identify.

"More fun than you, apparently!" Lottie shot back playfully, tossing her leaf in the air and watching it flutter to the ground. "Why don't you join us, Sebastian? Surely you can find a leaf that can beat ours."

He smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes. "I think I'll leave the leaf-hunting to you ladies," he replied, his tone light, but there was an edge to it that sent a shiver down my spine.

I turned back to my search, determined to push away the unease that was beginning to settle over me. As I reached for a particularly beautiful leaf caught in the branches of a low-hanging tree, I felt a sharp pain in my arm. I jerked back, realizing too late that I had scraped my skin against a jagged branch.

"Ow!" I exclaimed, pulling my arm back to inspect the damage. A thin line of blood welled up on my forearm, the crimson stark against my pale skin.

Lottie was by my side in an instant, her face filled with concern. "Oh, Evie, I'm so sorry! Are you okay?"

"It's just a scratch," I reassured her, though the sting was more intense than I had expected. "I'll be fine."

Before I could react, Sebastian was at my side, his hand gently but firmly grasping my arm. "Let me see," he murmured, his voice low as he leaned in to examine the wound.

I watched as his eyes darkened, a strange intensity overtaking his features as he stared at the blood on my arm. His grip tightened slightly, and for a moment, I thought I saw something flash in his eyes—something almost... predatory.