Lorraine closed her eyes and let Emma gently style her hair. Her head ached, not from pain, but from people.
Then came the knock.
A sharp, familiar rhythm. Aldric.
Sylvia moved to open the door, but paused a beat too long. When she finally did, Aldric stood tall in the frame, eyes shadowed.
He looked at her.
Not at Lorraine. Not at Emma.
Only at her.
Sylvia's throat tightened. Since their last, quietly desperate rendezvous, she had avoided him. She had cut him off with words she hadn't fully meant but had no choice but to say. She thought he'd pester her after her. He hadn't. She's been avoiding him since then.
And now here he was. Her heart clenched.
She bowed her head low, refusing to meet his gaze. If she looked at him, she might crumble.
Aldric cleared his throat. Lorraine's lashes fluttered open. "The prince requests your presence in his study," he said stiffly, eyes now on Lorraine.
Emma stilled her hands.
Lorraine let out a long, audible sigh. Ugh! That man!
