Page 53 of Tainted Souls

But the question was there, and I did wonder.

“I mean, why are you still in the castle? In Qam?” I asked. “Your father’s estate is far from here. None of your other family members are here. You don’t have anything to do here except... I know you came for the ball, but why did you stay?”

She gave me an odd look. I waited for her to scold me or to say something terse.

“Don’t you know why I stayed?” She asked.

She was too close. Her flowery scent was all over me, and I felt as though it would become a part of me if I stayed this close to her longer than it was safe.

“No,” I replied, staring at her lips because I was too scared to look into her eyes. “I don’t know.”

Her lips curled with a sad smile.

“I guess you don’t,” she said. “Lugh is gone. You don’t need me anymore.”

She was telling me to leave.

“Thank you,” I said, curtseying before her.

She seemed surprised.

And for some reason, I felt utterly disappointed.