Her breath came faster, shallow gasps that made her chest rise and fall rapidly. Her hands clenched into fists at her sides, nails digging into her palms until they left crescent-shaped marks on her skin.
"Kaelric, I said it wasn't me! I know I'm in love with Vesper, but that doesn't mean I would sell you out. You have to believe me!"
Kaelric's expression shifted, something dark flickering behind his pale eyes as the pieces clicked into place in his mind.
He exhaled heavily, the sound sharp and bitter in the silence.
His jaw clenched so tight the muscles stood out in sharp relief.
"I don't want to believe this, but the assassin who attacked me had a lean form like yours. And they ran straight toward the Crown's Conclave tower."
Each word hit Blazar like a physical blow. Her face went ashen, her lips parting in shock as she stared at him with wide, disbelieving eyes.
"Don't you believe me now?!" The words tore from her throat in a desperate cry that echoed off the office walls.
