Maya sighed a heavy breath. She closed her eyes briefly, rubbing her temples.
Then Eliora started coughing hard. Her father stepped closer at once and gently rubbed her back. "Are you alright, my dear?" he asked.
Maya herself became worried as the cough continued. "Stay here. Let me go and find a cup of water for her." She said quickly, turning on her heel.
As soon as her footsteps faded, Eliora stopped coughing and straightened up.
"Father," she whispered, looking into his eyes. "I am fine. I wasn't really choking."
Justin pulled his hand back, blinking in confusion. "What do you mean? Were you just pretending?"
"Yes," she replied quickly, glancing around to make sure no one was listening. "I needed a way to send Mother away so I could talk to you alone."
Justin's face fell. "Alone? Eliora, what is it? Are you in danger?"
