Later that night the chamber was dimly lit, the fire in the hearth casting low, amber light across the walls. Nicole lay curled beneath the blankets, her eyes half-closed, though sleep would not come. Beside her, Jasper sat propped against the headboard, a book in hand. He turned the pages slowly, but she could tell by the stiffness in his posture that he wasn't reading not really.
Finally, she shifted closer, resting her hand lightly against his arm. "You said you'd tell me tonight." Her voice was quiet, more a gentle reminder than a demand.
Jasper stilled, his violet eyes lifting from the book to meet hers. For a long moment, he said nothing, and she feared he might try to brush it aside again. But then he set the book aside, exhaling through his nose.
"I went to the Apple Kingdom," he said at last.
Nicole's breath caught. "The ruins?"
