The full moon poured its light, flooding Kaiser's bedroom through the tall windows. He slept lightly, as always. Lately, the slightest noise was enough to tear him from his dreams.
A discreet rustle of fabric, then the whisper of bare feet on the parquet pulled him from his drowsiness.
He opened his eyes.
Ruby stood in the middle of the room. She wore a simple white linen nightgown, so thin that the light passed through it, outlining the curves of her body. Her black hair, tousled from the pillow, framed her face. Her small cow-like horns, barely protruding, rose above her head. In the dimness, her eyes gleamed with worry.
She advanced slowly, arms crossed over her chest as if holding her breath. Her bare feet seemed to hesitate on the wooden floorboards.
"You're leaving," she murmured, her voice so low it almost blended with the silence of the night. "You're leaving without telling me anything, is that it?"
