Evaline:
The words had barely slipped past my lips when silence stretched thick between us.
"Because you left me behind earlier."
My voice sounded too thin, too fragile, and the second it hung in the air, I wanted to snatch it back.
River stared at me, his face a picture of confusion, surprise, and something close to disbelief. His lips parted like he had something ready, but then he hesitated. Instead, he let out a long, weary sigh that seemed to fill the room.
He leaned back slightly, his sharp gaze fixing on me. "You mean… earlier? When I came to here on my own and didn't bring you along?"
The way he said it - careful, deliberate - made heat rush to my cheeks. I gave a small nod, my lips pressing together in embarrassment.
