When the song came to an end, Edward was quick to usher Ruelle out of the grand hall as if keeping her away from Lucian, leading her toward the lake.
"Did that song play longer than the others?" Edward muttered with a faint frown.
But Ruelle hadn't paid attention to it, not even realising she had given her last dance to Lucian. The thought came to her too late that this might have been one of the last times she would ever stand that close to him.
Once she moved out of his room, there would be no reason for them to speak. No shared space. No quiet crossings of paths.
Why didn't she tell him then? She wondered, a soft sigh leaving her.
When they reached the lake behind Sexton, a narrow wooden boat waited by the shore. A lantern swayed gently from its pole, casting gold ripples across the dark water.
"Hermes," Edward called lightly, "the food is still warm, I hope? We wouldn't want Ruelle thinking I lack planning skills."
