A Promise of More (41 page)

Christian made for the door before the Duke even had time to blink, although the Duke’s sword sliced Christian’s neck on the way past.

Hell, what was one more scar?

His bare feet hardly touched the floor as he ran for the back stairs. For once, he didn’t care that his twisted and marked body was on display.

He’d only just taken a couple of steps down when he scented danger in the form of floor polish—but it was too late. His feet slid out from under him, and he went down headfirst, tumbling down the narrow staircase. Tucking himself into a ball, he tried to protect his head.

He thought for one moment he might survive the fall unscathed, but when the iron doorstop came into view at the bottom of the stairs, dread set in. He knew he was going to hit it. He desperately clawed at thin air, trying to ensure he found the open doorway, but his actions were in vain.

I hate it when I’m right
, was his last thought before his head collided with the iron doorstop. Then pain seared through his brain until, mercifully, everything went dark.