"May I come in?" a soft voice said from the doorway.
It was Marcus.
Evelisse wiped her face fast, even though she hadn't cried.
"Sure," she said, trying to sound casual.
He walked in, calm as ever, and sat beside her on the velvet settee. He didn't look at her. Just at the box.
"It's the same lily," he said quietly.
Her head turned.
"You know about it too?" she asked.
He nodded. "Not just saw it. I dreamed it would come back. In this exact box. After a contest."
She blinked. "Then why didn't you say anything?"
"I didn't want to ruin your win," he said gently. "You looked proud."
Evelisse stared at the flickering fire. "Do you think it's a warning?"
"I think it's a message," Marcus replied. "But not one meant to scare you."
"…Then what?"
"A reminder. Someone wants you to remember what you saw. What you know."
"…Why?"
Marcus looked at her now. "Maybe because you're braver than they expected."
She didn't answer right away. Her chest was warm and cold all at once.
