“How did you know that was there?” he asks.
I shake my head. “I don’t know.” I hold it up and study the key.
“You have been here before, haven’t you?” Alastar slurs as he sidesteps to balance himself.
I put it in the door, turn it and watch as it unlocks the door.
“Alastar,” I whisper, wide-eyed. “Shit.”
“You’re going to get us kicked out before we even get fucking married.” He chuckles in amusement.
We both look around guiltily, open the door and walk in. Alastar flicks on the light and closes the door behind us. Our eyes roam around the room as we adjust to the dim lighting. It’s a small room made of stone and has a large door at the back of it.
“It’s in there,” I whisper.
“What’s in there?” he asks.
“The staircase.”
I open the large, heavy barn door, and sure enough, a large spiral staircase is inside. “Alastar,” I whisper.
His eyes widen. “What are you doing?”
I stop still. Shit. What am I doing? How do I know this?
Am I psychic?
I suddenly don’t want to elaborate to Alastar anything more I know. This is unsettling and frightening. He will think I am crazy.
Maybe I am psychic.
“Excuse me. What are you doing?” A woman’s voice rings out.
“O-oh,” I stammer in shock.
Alastar laughs and my eyes widen in horror.
“Ahh. We got lost,” he replies.
“This door was locked,” she replies flatly as she comes into view.
“No. You must be mistaken. If it was locked, we wouldn’t be in here now, would we?” he says sarcastically in his drunken, heavy accent.
She frowns as her eyes roam between the two of us.
“Where does this staircase go to?” I ask.
“I am not sure. I have never been in here before. You need to leave immediately.”
“Of course.” Alastar smiles. “Sorry for the inconvenience.”
I stand still on the spot as my eyes stay locked on the staircase. I’m not sure I want to leave just yet. I want to know how the hell I knew this was even here? I’m confused. My eyes search Alastar’s and he smiles warmly. “It’s okay, Emmaline.”
“But…” I frown again. “But I don’t…”
He kisses me quickly on the lips. “Come, let’s go, my love.” He drags me out. “We have to get some sleep.” He turns his attention to the cranky woman. “We are getting married tomorrow, you know?”
“Congratulations,” she replies, monotone.”
My eyes go to Alastar and I smile broadly. “We are, too. I nearly forgot.”
His mouth drops open in feign shock. “How could you ever forget that vital piece of information?”
I laugh out loud and shake my head in wonder. “Probably because it’s unbelievable.”
* * *
I lie with my head on the firm skin of Alastar’s chest. He’s fast asleep and I am deep in thought.
How did I know where that doorway was? How did I know where the key was kept? Where did that staircase lead to, exactly?
I feel unsettled and anxiety is starting to pump through my blood. I don’t know what to make of this, and now, today, I am getting married. Holy freaking crap. Have I totally lost my mind?
Four weeks ago I was eating my way through London in despair and now I am in a castle with the man of my dreams planning a wedding whilst knowing things that I shouldn’t know.
What in the hell is going on with me?
I want to ring Brielle, but I know if I do she is going to freak out and talk me out of today. I gently kiss Alastar’s chest and I smile softly. Right now he is the only thing I am certain of. I have not one doubt about the way I feel about him, or about the way he feels about me.
He makes me feel safe like I never have before, and yet, if anything, I should feel out of control… because that’s what I am. I’m out of control and high on his love.
I feel him stir underneath me and then his gentle kiss on my forehead. “Good morning, my love,” he whispers.
I smile into his chest. “Good morning, Twinkle,” I breathe as I kiss his chest. Instantly my unease dissipates. It’s as if he is the answer to all my questions.
“What’s wrong?” he asks gently.
I shrug.
He leans up onto his elbow and looks down at me. “Don’t you want to get married today?”
I smile. “I do want to get married today.”
He leans and kisses me gently on the lips as if relieved. “Then what is it?’
My eyes search his. I need to talk to someone, and I suppose if he is to be my husband, I should talk to him.
I fiddle with a piece of the blanket and my eyes stay focused on my fingers. “Alastar...” I hesitate, this sounds so ridiculous.
“Yes, Em. What is it?” he asks, concerned.
My eyes meet his. “How did I know where that key was last night?”
He smiles softly and bends and kisses my forehead. “Keys are always hidden around doorways. It was a fluke, my love.”
I shake my head. “It wasn’t. I knew what I was looking for.”
He watches me for a moment as if unsure what to say.
“I’ve…” I stop.