His Daughter's Nanny, His Heart's Obsession

he storm roll

ad split open, and rain lashed against the tall glass windows of Knight Manor with reckless fury. Branches scra

thudding like it recognized s

in too many unfamiliar places - thunder that sounded too much like yelling

sn't the sound

t it remin

fear that got

s ins

er bones, deep

ed that whisper of unease. The corridor lights were dim, painting golde

n't eve

rely wrapped in her blanket. The storm outside lit up the windows in strobing flashes, and in each bur

lay on t

got

t terrified

d, gathering Isla close, wrapping her

she whispered, heart breaking.

didn't

t see

but something worse. Something buried. Her little fingers were tu

nized that

n't fear

fear of

me from befo

here. You're here with me. You're in your bed. This is your r

e pale, hair plastered to her temples. She trembled like

ed the door creak

shirt half-buttoned. His usual composure was shattered. For once, he looked

pened?" h

d, still rocking Isla. "Help me with the

n't he

of fabric, and then he was at her side, pla

draped it ove

neath Isla's side, pressing gently on her shoulders to help her body s

shing Isla's damp hair back. "Her brai

to even out. Her fingers reached a

n sa

sla reach

ria didn'

e seemed to tether

anyone bring Isl

l helpless in the m

-

minutes

asleep, still clutching Aria's fingers, her chest ris

ther ten, just to be sure.

as stil

watc

y," Aria s

"Has that ever h

all sigh. "No

ares," he said. "

ed, her voice gentle. "Something more than g

oked

- something he'd nev

er wasn't

n't ask

dn't n

isible in the sile

gh his hair. "You kne

been t

ade hi

sked, genui

said quietly. "The ones that wake you up at

stillness for

of truth be

Damon said finally

rust

The way she moved. The way she spoke without fear or soft

what I expec

ing her head. "You say th

ng in something close to a smil

hy

't know what t

eath c

didn't

r of t

something had shifted. And it

-

room after checking

idn't

ingers curled around hers. Still hearing Damon's voice - not cold, not co

ble to fall slowly without reali

-

m broke

, the sky a soft gray-blue. The manor looked cleaner som

found Isla already awake, sitting cross-legge

t look up

ointed at

use with square windows a

of the picture...

ta

me

sm

all hold

ed. "Is th

dded so

e arrived, Aria felt something

o