Chapter 24

Chapter 24

Celene’s POV

My heart was pounding furiously in my chest as I opened the door to my room, with the anticipation of no more than finding the solitude that was becoming my good friend. But as I stepped through the door frame, there, standing in the center of the room, was Cristoff, his presence as unexpected and unwelcome as it was.

His eyes cut straight into mine, his gaze piercing deep within my soul. "Where have you been?" Desperation laced in the tightness of his voice, though it stayed serenely cool as ever.

My first reaction to him being there was an angry storm mixed with fear. I was cautious, wasn't I? Nobody was supposed to know about my affairs. Least of all, Cristoff. For a moment, I just stayed there, appalled, my mind reeling for some possible means of escape.

"What are you doing here?" I finally demanded, my voice sharper than I had intended it to be. I stepped backward, trying to put some distance between us, as though somehow this could ease the tensi