A Night of Restless Dreams
Emma lay in the attic room, her body exhausted but her mind wide awake. The events of the day played over and over in her head—the moment she spotted the guard, the way Ruby had calmly lied to him, the lingering doubt in the man's eyes before he finally walked away.
Would he return? Would he start asking questions?
She curled tighter against Ruby, listening to his steady breaths. He had fallen asleep quickly, but even in sleep, his arm remained around her, holding her close.
Emma wanted to lose herself in that comfort, in the warmth of his body against hers. But she couldn't shake the feeling that time was running out.
She closed her eyes, forcing herself to rest. Tomorrow would bring new challenges. She had to be ready.
---
The Weight of a Lie
Morning came too soon.
Emma dressed quickly, pulling her hair into a simple braid before heading downstairs to start her shift. The inn was already awake, the scent of fresh bread and bacon filling the air.
She grabbed a cloth and started wiping down the wooden tables.
"Morning, Anna," the innkeeper, Martha, called from behind the bar.
Emma forced a smile. "Morning."
She still wasn't used to her new name. But every time she heard it, it reminded her that she was living a lie.
Martha eyed her for a moment. "Your husband found work?"
Emma nodded. "At the blacksmith's shop."
Martha snorted. "Hope he knows how to swing a hammer. That old blacksmith doesn't have patience for slow learners."
Emma laughed softly, though her nerves were wound tight.
Ruby would manage. He had to.
She had just finished setting out clean mugs when a familiar voice made her freeze.
"Did you see that young couple? The man looks an awful lot like—"
Emma's heart pounded.
She turned her head slightly, eyes locking onto the two men sitting near the fireplace. One of them was the same guard from yesterday.
And he was still asking questions.
---
A Desperate Warning
Emma forced herself to breathe. To move.
She grabbed an empty tray and walked past the men, pretending not to notice their conversation.
"—but if it was him, why would he be here?" the second man asked.
The guard frowned. "That's what I don't understand. He wouldn't throw away his entire life for a maid."
Emma's grip on the tray tightened.
"Maybe it's just a coincidence," the second man said.
"Maybe." The guard didn't sound convinced.
Emma hurried into the kitchen, her heart racing. She needed to warn Ruby.
She wiped her hands on her apron and turned to the cook. "I need to step out for a moment."
The cook grunted but waved her off.
Emma darted out the back door and made her way toward the blacksmith's shop.
---
A Test of Strength
The clang of metal on metal filled the air.
Emma hesitated in the doorway, watching as Ruby swung the heavy hammer down onto the glowing piece of iron. His sleeves were rolled up, revealing strong arms slick with sweat. His dark hair was damp, sticking to his forehead.
He looked nothing like the privileged son of a wealthy family.
But to her, he had never looked more beautiful.
The blacksmith, an older man with thick white hair, grunted. "Not bad. Maybe you'll last longer than the last idiot who worked here."
Ruby set down the hammer and wiped his brow. "I'll take that as a compliment."
The blacksmith chuckled. "Get back to work."
Emma stepped forward, catching Ruby's eye. His expression shifted immediately—concern flickering behind his blue eyes.
She nodded toward the door. "We need to talk."
Ruby glanced at the blacksmith, who waved him off. "Go on, then. But if you're gone too long, don't bother coming back."
Ruby wiped his hands on a rag and followed Emma outside.
She pulled him into the alley beside the shop.
"They're still talking about you," she whispered.
Ruby's jaw tightened. "Who?"
"The guard. The one from yesterday. He hasn't let it go."
Ruby exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair. "Damn it."
Emma swallowed hard. "What do we do?"
He was quiet for a long moment, then finally said, "We wait."
"Wait?" she echoed. "For what?"
"For him to leave. For him to give up."
Emma bit her lip. "And if he doesn't?"
Ruby's eyes darkened. "Then we run."
---
A Kiss Before the Storm
They walked back to the inn together, both lost in thought.
When they reached their small attic room, Emma sat on the edge of the bed, her hands clasped in her lap.
Ruby stood in front of her, his expression unreadable.
She hated this.
She hated the fear. The constant looking over her shoulder. The uncertainty of what tomorrow would bring.
Ruby knelt in front of her, taking her hands in his.
"I'm sorry," he murmured.
Emma frowned. "For what?"
"For dragging you into this."
Tears welled in her eyes. "You didn't drag me anywhere, Ruby. I chose this. I chose you."
He leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to her lips.
Emma melted into him, her hands gripping his shirt as if holding onto him could somehow stop the world from pulling them apart.
When he pulled away, he rested his forehead against hers.
"No matter what happens," he whispered, "I won't let them take you from me."
Emma closed her eyes.
She wanted to believe him.
But deep down, she knew—
Their time was running out