41

Layke rushed out of the SUV towards the Midummer castle entrance, climbing two steps at a time before striding straight to Belle’s room. He could feel where she was through the mark, just like he could feel the pain she was in and it stung, really stung. He also knew it was late and she was probably fast asleep by now, but he couldn’t wait, he had to see her and he had to see her now.

“Belle!” he called out behind her door, his hand resting on the locked doorknob. Belle gasped, startled, quickly sitting up in her bed. What the hell was he doing here? She couldn’t see him, she just couldn’t. Looking into his eyes would hurt her and Nia too much, it would rip open the wound that was ever so slowly healing.

“You shouldn’t be here!” she called, desperately hoping that by some miracle he left her alone. “Please leave,” she sighed. She didn’t have the fight in her, not anymore.

“No, baby, I won’t leave.” Her heart tugged at the endearment. “Let me in, please.” He pleaded, though he wasn’