Erian left. The door closed behind him with a sharp click.
Marina remained seated alone in the private room, watching the closed door with a cold grin. Watching the place where he had disappeared.
Little by little, the smile faded from her face completely.
Until only coldness remained.
***
After that night, Erian changed again.
He still guarded the rear courtyard. He still chopped firewood and carried water each day.
But he kept a greater distance from Caelith.
The burning intensity that had once lingered in his gaze appeared less often now.
Caelith noticed the difference, too. To her surprise, she felt relieved.
And yet... Beneath that relief lingered an unease she could not explain.
Something felt wrong. Something was shifting beyond her sight.
She simply could not determine what. And she hated that nothing could remain the same around her.
***
