Ariel stared into his eyes, her heart skipping slightly in her chest.
"You could have still told me your real name," she said softly. "Whether you like it or not, that is who you are."
Edmund swallowed, as if her words had landed heavier than he expected.
Ariel stood up first, dusting her skirt.
Edmund looked up at her quickly. "Where are you going?"
"Back to the cottage," she said simply. After a pause, she added, "I am cold."
He nodded once, getting up as well. "I will come with you."
She did not argue, but she did not agree either. She just turned and walked away.
Ariel pushed the cottage door open and stepped inside first. The air was colder than outside.
She wrapped her arms around herself on instinct, but it did little to help. The damp from yesterday's rain still clung to her clothes, and the thin fabric of her skirt and top did nothing against the chill.
