“Here we meet again.” Raiden Redthorn’s smug voice rang out from behind her and for a moment Eileen didn’t know what to say.
Turning around to face him, she still didn’t quite know. Even still, she put a small smile on her face and tilted her head. “I suppose we do.”
In the last few days, she had heard from Ayla that the Redthorns had become quite popular in Teodes. They had always been old money, but had never really been so invested in these parties until lately. Eileen had heard all about the rumors surrounding their second son. Not all of which were good.
Still, Eileen had learned long ago not to let prior conception cloud her mind, and had decided that she’d judge his character for herself. From the encounter she’d had with him, he’d come across as very full of himself. It wasn’t so much in what he said, but more in the way he held himself. Even now his posture made it seem like he was the sole person who could lead the world into a better place.
Which, considering some of the other things she had heard, didn’t seem to be quite so far from the truth. She had decided that those words were not be taken to seriously as well. After all in a country as old as Teodes, any change was thought of as bad change.
As she looked at the flicker of delight in Redthorn’s eyes, Eileen got the distinct impression she was forgetting something.
“What are you doing quite so far from the party?” She asked him when it became clear he wasn’t going to say anything.
He put an air of nonchalance on in return, but couldn’t quite mask the smirk on his lips. “Oh you know. Just getting a bit of fresh air.”
“There are other windows to do that.” Her eyes narrowed accusingly, “you didn’t need to come this far for as simple a reason as needing fresh air.”
Quirking his lips, he held his hands up in mock surrender. “Fine. You’ve caught me, I was hoping to run into you again.” He paused, and his eyes turned a little accusing themselves. “Although, I feel like I should be asking you that.”
“I was looking for my date.” She answered in the blandest voice she could muster. “Would you happen to have seen her?”
“No.” He easily replied, “but I may know of a place she could be.”
He did? “Where?”
Instead of replying, he put a finger to his lips and motioned for her to follow him.
At any other time and in any other place, Eileen would have certainly had something to say about the cryptic nature of the action. But after having spent the better part of an hour searching for her wayward friend, she couldn’t quite muster that emotion. Not to mention her mind was still racing after the conversation she had overheard.
Following Raiden Redthorn through the curving corridors of the ever expanding manor, Eileen found the silence between them strange. From their last meeting, she wouldn’t have pegged him for the type of person who would retain this sort of silence, yet it was exactly what he was doing.
Eileen would have thought he was bored by the action if she didn’t detect the underlying excitement in his step. Despite the irritation still linger beneath her skin towards Ayla, a smile started to curve her lips at the sight. It was almost cute how eager he was to show her this.
Like a small child wanting to show their parents how well they’re doing. It made her irritation fade and her nerves relax. Her steps became less hurried. By the way he was moving, she had no doubt he would lead her to Ayla.
It might have been a naive thought. It certainly wasn’t smart to trust someone you didn’t know well to that degree. But when they came to a step outside of a solarium’s gate not too long after, Eileen knew it had been the right decision.
For staring out of telescope at the far end of the room was Ayla. She seemed to be unaware of their presence at the door. Eileen couldn’t help but sigh in exasperation as not even the sound ofRedthornknocking on the door broke her from her actions.
She was too busy looking into the night sky. And Eileen didn’t know whether to laugh or punch her for being so reckless. Perhaps both. At another time of course. A glance towards Redthorn showed that he was amused by how engrossed she was as well.
Maybe Eileen should have been offended on Ayla’s behalf, but there was no malice in his gaze. Just a faint glint of amusement. Eileen felt her own amusement grow with it. The worry that had been seeping into her body disappearing in a flash.
Ayla was safe. The bloody images that had been floating through her mind were simply ones concocted by her mind. The hysteria of relief that overcame her almost made her laugh out loud, but she remembered that Raiden Redthorn was still here and smothered that thought.
Instead she shook her head and willed her face to once again appear unimpressed. It was a little difficult, but she managed it after the first five tries.
“Ayla,” Eileen said sharply, “I told you not to wander off.”
The sound of her voice seemed to breakAylaout of her engrossment more than any of the sounds they had been making had yet managed. She immediately jumped upright and took a step away from the telescope. She gave Eileen a shaky smile, looking the very image of a guilty child caught red-handed.
“Well?” Eileen raised an eyebrow as Ayla fidgeted under her gaze, “Is there an explanation?”
“Come now.” Raiden Redthorn cut in before Ayla could say anything, “I hardly think interrogating the girl will do any good.” At Eileen’s deadpan gaze, he held his hands up in surrender. “I just thought that with all the time you’ve spent searching for her, you’d be more happy to find her.”
Eileen opened her mouth to say that she was happy to have found Ayla, but her friend cut her off before she could. “I’m very sorry for worrying you. Please don’t be mad.” Her eyes turned pleading as she walked up to Eileen.
It seems that the silence and unimpressed look that followed it must have made both her companions nervous, because the next thing she knew both of them were giving her pleading looks.
“Yes.”Redthorn added, “Being angry won’t fix anything.”
Huffing, Eileen turned her gaze towards him and shot him a glare. It didn’t work as intended and he looked even more like he was asking her to reasonable as a result. Bastard. He didn’t even really know Ayla. She had a distinct impression that he was only doing this to annoy her.
Despite herself, however, Eileen found herself more amused by the action than annoyed. So instead of giving Ayla the lecture she had planned, she rolled her eyes with a sigh and ran a hand through her hair.
“Fine,” she told Ayla, “I won’t press you more about in this very moment.” At Ayla’s building relief, she thought it best to add, “but we will be talking about this later.”
In fact she’d make sure to drill it into her just how reckless this action was. Anything could have happened. She understood that Ayla’s obsession with space meant she’d probably drop just about anything to focus on it, but it couldn’t come at the price of her safety. Eileen would not let it. If she wanted to focus on these things, she would have to take her with her the next time.
The promise made Ayla deflate a little, but she didn’t push the issue, instead making a “I know my wrong” face. Raiden Redthorn seemed very pleased with the development and happily led them back into the ballroom direction. Eileen knew he’d likely only helped because there was something he wanted.
She was a little surprised he even knew where she was and had every intention to interrogate him on it in at another time. A part of her wanted to be distrustful and do so now, but the memory of his excitement to lead her stopped her. It was also why she let him stick around when they did get back to the ballroom.
Even if it may have been due to self-interest, he’d managed to lead her right to Ayla. So she felt she could give him some leeway for now. If he ended up being suspicious, she would deal with then. Besides, his presence beside her and Ayla kept other people from approaching. After the mess that been their eagerness when she had wanted to find Ayla, Eileen was happy to get the respite.
It didn’t hurt that he wasn’t too bad of a company. Keeping Ayla entertained by his recounts of previous balls in the estate when he’d found someone down an outhouse hall or passed out in the middle of the hallway. Which had Ayla asking him more about those instances and laughing at his description of the details.
Eileen smiled. It made the entire ordeal more bearable. Although, if she was being honest, it wasn’t quite as horrid as her grandpa had been making it out to be when he was telling her about it in his letter not days prior. She hoped the night would pass just as peacefully as it was going.
And for the most part it did. Having been thoroughly scolded, the next time Ayla felt the need to sneak off, it was after telling Eileen where she would be and the promise to be back soon. Eileen rolled her eyes when it was because she had seen a particular gold statue she thought she could use for her next novel.
“So,” Raiden Redthorn started as soon as Ayla walked off, “Now that we’re alone, I seem to remember an agreement we came to at the last ball.”
An agreement? What agreement. Eileen tilted her head in question. They’d wandered to a more secluded area as the statue Ayla wanted to see wasn’t anywhere close to the hordes of people in the ballroom. Eileen was about to ask him what in thehellshe was talking about before the memory suddenly flashed through her head. Oh.
Redthornsmiled in satisfaction. “I seem to remember a promise of a name reveal.” He stared into Eileen’s eyes intently. “And you wouldn’t go back on a promise, would you.”
“No. I would not.” The reply was automatic, even as Eileen’s mind raced at the situation she had found herself in.
She had promised him that the next time they met she’d give him a name. But hell’s teeth she hadn’t expected it to be so soon. Or to happen at all. And she found herself feeling like a fool for the thought. What the hell was she going to tell him?
By the expectant way he was staring at her, it was clear that he wouldn’t leave her alone until she gave him a name. A internal sigh left her at the thought. Even if it had only been the obligatory small talk he’d still badgered Ayla until she’d agreed.
He wouldn’t leave without a name. Even without knowing him for long, it was something Eileen knew for a certainty. Which meant she’d have to come up with one. Gods why hadn’t she come up with one after the last ball?
Because you didn’t think you would be back.
True. But obviously she had been wrong. Now she paid the price for the foolishness to think it wouldn’t be necessary. She must have stayed silent for too long, because Raiden Redthorn leaned in with an accusatory expression.
“If you think-”
“Kiran.” Eileen immediately cut off his sentence.
Redthorn blinked his eyes before refocusing, “Kiran?”
Well, might as well commit to it now. “My name is Kiran.” It was close to the truth, which was good because Eileen hated lying as a general rule.
For all his eagerness to find out her name, he didn’t seem to know what to do when he got it. He seemed stunned and then, a little confused. As Eileen watched, his face morphed from stunned to determined.
“Kiran what?” He gave her a searching look, “Who would be your family?”
Hell. She should have known that would be next thing he asked. In this society, your family name was considered important. Any old name wouldn’t do. Especially not if she wanted to seem part of this society. Eileen belatedly realized that “Kiran” was not a common name on this side of the continent either. Oops.
Now, Eileen will freely admit that her mouth had a tendency to go against her at times. And she’d blame what she says next on the fact that the suspicious look Redthorn was throwing at her. For when she felt threatened, she’d been told she had a tendency to make rash decisions. And the name that slipped out was certainly one of those.
“Knightwood.” Eileen winced internally even as she said it, but it was too late. “My name is Kiran Knightwood?”
“Knightwood?”RaidenRedthorn’sbrows shot up in shock. “As in the Knightwoods?”
Eileen forced herself to give him a placating smile, with all the sheepishness of someone who was reluctant to tell someone about their family history infeafrof being judged. “The one and only.”
That seemed to leave him even more stunned. And Eileen couldn’t blame him. The Knightwoods were old nobility and a Dukedom in Athalasia. They had an hand in many different spheres and were respected by the vast majority. They were practically royalty. They were also, as it so happened, Eileen’s maternal family.
“Really?” He still didn’t quite seem to believe her.
“Of course. My mother was a Knightwood.” And then because she felt that was a little too close to the truth, “She was from a distant branch and is hardly part of the main dukedom, but it’s true nonetheless.”
That seemed to break him from his stunned state. “Your mother is a minor member of the Knightwoods?”
“Yes.” As much as being the current head’s youngest child and only daughter could be considered as a minor member.
“Right.” He blinked a few more times, “Good.” A sigh left his mouth as if he’d gone through a entire cycle of emotions in a very short moment’s time.
Eileen felt as if there was something he wanted to ask her. After all, you don’t spend an entire night following someone around if you didn’t. It made her narrow her eyes on him.
“Was there something you wanted to ask me?”
For a moment, he didn’t say anything. Choosing to remain silent in the face of the question. Then, a glint of determination entered his eyes and he gave her beaming smile.
“As you know, the world around us is shit. And I think that we need to fix that. So, I have created a group of sorts dedicated to changing that.”
“Is there a point to this pitch?” Even while she spoke the words, Eileen had a very good inkling where this conversation might have been going.
“I’d like you to join us.”
Yep. That’s exactly what she’d been expecting him to say. He looked like he expected her to agree too, but unfortunately for him, he would have to leave disappointed.
“Redthorn, I have no interest in joining your cult.”
He looked affronted. “It’s not a cult!”
“Yes well,” Eileen smiled, “It sounds like one.”
“You’d be perfect for it.”
“Be that as it may, I’d much rather not get involved.” For many reasons, not least of which being that her identity in this moment was more a disguise than a completely accurate representation of her character.
Raiden Redthorn looked offended and a little disappointed with her answer but that determined gleam still hadn’t left his eyes. And when he spoke again after her refusal, she was proven right.
“I’ll convince you to give it a chance.” Redthorn seemed to think that if he asked enough times, he’d get what he wanted. And didn’t that fit perfectly with the impression she’d initially gotten.
Eileen sighed. “I suppose you can try.”
Although he was very unlikely to be successful. A revolution of any sorts sounded like a lot of work, especially one coming from a group that may as well be a cult. She had no interest in being any part.
“I will.” The tone of his voice made a strange feeling of foreboding go through her mind. This may end up being a lot of trouble. And she wasn’t quite sure whether there was a way to prevent it.
She wanted this party to end as soon as possible. Gods knew it had certainly been enough of a headache.
“Here we meet again.” Raiden Redthorn’s smug voice rang out from behind her and for a moment Eileen didn’t know what to say.
Turning around to face him, she still didn’t quite know. Even still, she put a small smile on her face and tilted her head. “I suppose we do.”
In the last few days, she had heard from Ayla that the Redthorns had become quite popular in Teodes. They had always been old money, but had never really been so invested in these parties until lately. Eileen had heard all about the rumors surrounding their second son. Not all of which were good.
Still, Eileen had learned long ago not to let prior conception cloud her mind, and had decided that she’d judge his character for herself. From the encounter she’d had with him, he’d come across as very full of himself. It wasn’t so much in what he said, but more in the way he held himself. Even now his posture made it seem like he was the sole person who could lead the world into a better place.
Which, considering some of the other things she had heard, didn’t seem to be quite so far from the truth. She had decided that those words were not be taken to seriously as well. After all in a country as old as Teodes, any change was thought of as bad change.
As she looked at the flicker of delight in Redthorn’s eyes, Eileen got the distinct impression she was forgetting something.
“What are you doing quite so far from the party?” She asked him when it became clear he wasn’t going to say anything.
He put an air of nonchalance on in return, but couldn’t quite mask the smirk on his lips. “Oh you know. Just getting a bit of fresh air.”
“There are other windows to do that.” Her eyes narrowed accusingly, “you didn’t need to come this far for as simple a reason as needing fresh air.”
Quirking his lips, he held his hands up in mock surrender. “Fine. You’ve caught me, I was hoping to run into you again.” He paused, and his eyes turned a little accusing themselves. “Although, I feel like I should be asking you that.”
“I was looking for my date.” She answered in the blandest voice she could muster. “Would you happen to have seen her?”
“No.” He easily replied, “but I may know of a place she could be.”
He did? “Where?”
Instead of replying, he put a finger to his lips and motioned for her to follow him.
At any other time and in any other place, Eileen would have certainly had something to say about the cryptic nature of the action. But after having spent the better part of an hour searching for her wayward friend, she couldn’t quite muster that emotion. Not to mention her mind was still racing after the conversation she had overheard.
Following Raiden Redthorn through the curving corridors of the ever expanding manor, Eileen found the silence between them strange. From their last meeting, she wouldn’t have pegged him for the type of person who would retain this sort of silence, yet it was exactly what he was doing.
Eileen would have thought he was bored by the action if she didn’t detect the underlying excitement in his step. Despite the irritation still linger beneath her skin towards Ayla, a smile started to curve her lips at the sight. It was almost cute how eager he was to show her this.
Like a small child wanting to show their parents how well they’re doing. It made her irritation fade and her nerves relax. Her steps became less hurried. By the way he was moving, she had no doubt he would lead her to Ayla.
It might have been a naive thought. It certainly wasn’t smart to trust someone you didn’t know well to that degree. But when they came to a step outside of a solarium’s gate not too long after, Eileen knew it had been the right decision.
For staring out of telescope at the far end of the room was Ayla. She seemed to be unaware of their presence at the door. Eileen couldn’t help but sigh in exasperation as not even the sound ofRedthornknocking on the door broke her from her actions.
She was too busy looking into the night sky. And Eileen didn’t know whether to laugh or punch her for being so reckless. Perhaps both. At another time of course. A glance towards Redthorn showed that he was amused by how engrossed she was as well.
Maybe Eileen should have been offended on Ayla’s behalf, but there was no malice in his gaze. Just a faint glint of amusement. Eileen felt her own amusement grow with it. The worry that had been seeping into her body disappearing in a flash.
Ayla was safe. The bloody images that had been floating through her mind were simply ones concocted by her mind. The hysteria of relief that overcame her almost made her laugh out loud, but she remembered that Raiden Redthorn was still here and smothered that thought.
Instead she shook her head and willed her face to once again appear unimpressed. It was a little difficult, but she managed it after the first five tries.
“Ayla,” Eileen said sharply, “I told you not to wander off.”
The sound of her voice seemed to breakAylaout of her engrossment more than any of the sounds they had been making had yet managed. She immediately jumped upright and took a step away from the telescope. She gave Eileen a shaky smile, looking the very image of a guilty child caught red-handed.
“Well?” Eileen raised an eyebrow as Ayla fidgeted under her gaze, “Is there an explanation?”
“Come now.” Raiden Redthorn cut in before Ayla could say anything, “I hardly think interrogating the girl will do any good.” At Eileen’s deadpan gaze, he held his hands up in surrender. “I just thought that with all the time you’ve spent searching for her, you’d be more happy to find her.”
Eileen opened her mouth to say that she was happy to have found Ayla, but her friend cut her off before she could. “I’m very sorry for worrying you. Please don’t be mad.” Her eyes turned pleading as she walked up to Eileen.
It seems that the silence and unimpressed look that followed it must have made both her companions nervous, because the next thing she knew both of them were giving her pleading looks.
“Yes.”Redthorn added, “Being angry won’t fix anything.”
Huffing, Eileen turned her gaze towards him and shot him a glare. It didn’t work as intended and he looked even more like he was asking her to reasonable as a result. Bastard. He didn’t even really know Ayla. She had a distinct impression that he was only doing this to annoy her.
Despite herself, however, Eileen found herself more amused by the action than annoyed. So instead of giving Ayla the lecture she had planned, she rolled her eyes with a sigh and ran a hand through her hair.
“Fine,” she told Ayla, “I won’t press you more about in this very moment.” At Ayla’s building relief, she thought it best to add, “but we will be talking about this later.”
In fact she’d make sure to drill it into her just how reckless this action was. Anything could have happened. She understood that Ayla’s obsession with space meant she’d probably drop just about anything to focus on it, but it couldn’t come at the price of her safety. Eileen would not let it. If she wanted to focus on these things, she would have to take her with her the next time.
The promise made Ayla deflate a little, but she didn’t push the issue, instead making a “I know my wrong” face. Raiden Redthorn seemed very pleased with the development and happily led them back into the ballroom direction. Eileen knew he’d likely only helped because there was something he wanted.
She was a little surprised he even knew where she was and had every intention to interrogate him on it in at another time. A part of her wanted to be distrustful and do so now, but the memory of his excitement to lead her stopped her. It was also why she let him stick around when they did get back to the ballroom.
Even if it may have been due to self-interest, he’d managed to lead her right to Ayla. So she felt she could give him some leeway for now. If he ended up being suspicious, she would deal with then. Besides, his presence beside her and Ayla kept other people from approaching. After the mess that been their eagerness when she had wanted to find Ayla, Eileen was happy to get the respite.
It didn’t hurt that he wasn’t too bad of a company. Keeping Ayla entertained by his recounts of previous balls in the estate when he’d found someone down an outhouse hall or passed out in the middle of the hallway. Which had Ayla asking him more about those instances and laughing at his description of the details.
Eileen smiled. It made the entire ordeal more bearable. Although, if she was being honest, it wasn’t quite as horrid as her grandpa had been making it out to be when he was telling her about it in his letter not days prior. She hoped the night would pass just as peacefully as it was going.
And for the most part it did. Having been thoroughly scolded, the next time Ayla felt the need to sneak off, it was after telling Eileen where she would be and the promise to be back soon. Eileen rolled her eyes when it was because she had seen a particular gold statue she thought she could use for her next novel.
“So,” Raiden Redthorn started as soon as Ayla walked off, “Now that we’re alone, I seem to remember an agreement we came to at the last ball.”
An agreement? What agreement. Eileen tilted her head in question. They’d wandered to a more secluded area as the statue Ayla wanted to see wasn’t anywhere close to the hordes of people in the ballroom. Eileen was about to ask him what in thehellshe was talking about before the memory suddenly flashed through her head. Oh.
Redthornsmiled in satisfaction. “I seem to remember a promise of a name reveal.” He stared into Eileen’s eyes intently. “And you wouldn’t go back on a promise, would you.”
“No. I would not.” The reply was automatic, even as Eileen’s mind raced at the situation she had found herself in.
She had promised him that the next time they met she’d give him a name. But hell’s teeth she hadn’t expected it to be so soon. Or to happen at all. And she found herself feeling like a fool for the thought. What the hell was she going to tell him?
By the expectant way he was staring at her, it was clear that he wouldn’t leave her alone until she gave him a name. A internal sigh left her at the thought. Even if it had only been the obligatory small talk he’d still badgered Ayla until she’d agreed.
He wouldn’t leave without a name. Even without knowing him for long, it was something Eileen knew for a certainty. Which meant she’d have to come up with one. Gods why hadn’t she come up with one after the last ball?
Because you didn’t think you would be back.
True. But obviously she had been wrong. Now she paid the price for the foolishness to think it wouldn’t be necessary. She must have stayed silent for too long, because Raiden Redthorn leaned in with an accusatory expression.
“If you think-”
“Kiran.” Eileen immediately cut off his sentence.
Redthorn blinked his eyes before refocusing, “Kiran?”
Well, might as well commit to it now. “My name is Kiran.” It was close to the truth, which was good because Eileen hated lying as a general rule.
For all his eagerness to find out her name, he didn’t seem to know what to do when he got it. He seemed stunned and then, a little confused. As Eileen watched, his face morphed from stunned to determined.
“Kiran what?” He gave her a searching look, “Who would be your family?”
Hell. She should have known that would be next thing he asked. In this society, your family name was considered important. Any old name wouldn’t do. Especially not if she wanted to seem part of this society. Eileen belatedly realized that “Kiran” was not a common name on this side of the continent either. Oops.
Now, Eileen will freely admit that her mouth had a tendency to go against her at times. And she’d blame what she says next on the fact that the suspicious look Redthorn was throwing at her. For when she felt threatened, she’d been told she had a tendency to make rash decisions. And the name that slipped out was certainly one of those.
“Knightwood.” Eileen winced internally even as she said it, but it was too late. “My name is Kiran Knightwood?”
“Knightwood?”RaidenRedthorn’sbrows shot up in shock. “As in the Knightwoods?”
Eileen forced herself to give him a placating smile, with all the sheepishness of someone who was reluctant to tell someone about their family history infeafrof being judged. “The one and only.”
That seemed to leave him even more stunned. And Eileen couldn’t blame him. The Knightwoods were old nobility and a Dukedom in Athalasia. They had an hand in many different spheres and were respected by the vast majority. They were practically royalty. They were also, as it so happened, Eileen’s maternal family.
“Really?” He still didn’t quite seem to believe her.
“Of course. My mother was a Knightwood.” And then because she felt that was a little too close to the truth, “She was from a distant branch and is hardly part of the main dukedom, but it’s true nonetheless.”
That seemed to break him from his stunned state. “Your mother is a minor member of the Knightwoods?”
“Yes.” As much as being the current head’s youngest child and only daughter could be considered as a minor member.
“Right.” He blinked a few more times, “Good.” A sigh left his mouth as if he’d gone through a entire cycle of emotions in a very short moment’s time.
Eileen felt as if there was something he wanted to ask her. After all, you don’t spend an entire night following someone around if you didn’t. It made her narrow her eyes on him.
“Was there something you wanted to ask me?”
For a moment, he didn’t say anything. Choosing to remain silent in the face of the question. Then, a glint of determination entered his eyes and he gave her beaming smile.
“As you know, the world around us is shit. And I think that we need to fix that. So, I have created a group of sorts dedicated to changing that.”
“Is there a point to this pitch?” Even while she spoke the words, Eileen had a very good inkling where this conversation might have been going.
“I’d like you to join us.”
Yep. That’s exactly what she’d been expecting him to say. He looked like he expected her to agree too, but unfortunately for him, he would have to leave disappointed.
“Redthorn, I have no interest in joining your cult.”
He looked affronted. “It’s not a cult!”
“Yes well,” Eileen smiled, “It sounds like one.”
“You’d be perfect for it.”
“Be that as it may, I’d much rather not get involved.” For many reasons, not least of which being that her identity in this moment was more a disguise than a completely accurate representation of her character.
Raiden Redthorn looked offended and a little disappointed with her answer but that determined gleam still hadn’t left his eyes. And when he spoke again after her refusal, she was proven right.
“I’ll convince you to give it a chance.” Redthorn seemed to think that if he asked enough times, he’d get what he wanted. And didn’t that fit perfectly with the impression she’d initially gotten.
Eileen sighed. “I suppose you can try.”
Although he was very unlikely to be successful. A revolution of any sorts sounded like a lot of work, especially one coming from a group that may as well be a cult. She had no interest in being any part.
“I will.” The tone of his voice made a strange feeling of foreboding go through her mind. This may end up being a lot of trouble. And she wasn’t quite sure whether there was a way to prevent it.
She wanted this party to end as soon as possible. Gods knew it had certainly been enough of a headache.
