Chapter 256: To The Right

Savannah Clop, clop, clop. That was the first thing I heard that morning. Hooves. Heavy and mighty ones. Striking the earth again and again in a sharp, rhythmic pattern that echoed through the walls of the manor. The sound tore me out of sleep immediately. I jolted upright, heart slamming hard against my ribs, breath coming too fast. For a moment, I didn’t even know where I was. The unfamiliar ceiling loomed above me, high and ornate, the curtains heavy and the room still a little dark even with morning light trying to push through. Then memory rushed back. Blackwood Manor. Roman flown here. Dinner last night. Riley’s words. Ryan’s hand on my throat. The warning in his voice. The fear that hadn’t quite left my bones. The sound came again—closer this time. A horse snorted. Someone shouted sharply, impatient, commanding. “So fucking useless! This animal!” “Are you serious?” I muttered, irritation cutting through my lingering fear. I shoved the covers aside and swung my legs over the bed.