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For the first time… Bethany smiled. It wasn’t happiness. God. It wasn’t anything close. Her eyes filled with tears. Then she whispered⁠—

“The truth.”

39

ALARIC

The door opened. I straightened. Nyssa stepped into the hallway and quietly pulled it closed behind her. One look at her face and I knew. Something had happened in that room.

I crossed toward her. “How is she?”

“Asleep.”

Her voice was different. Not shaking or broken. Almost… nothing.

I stopped in front of her. “What did she say?”

Nyssa looked at me. For one second, I saw it.

Fear.

Then something closed over it.

“Nothing that helps.”

The same words. My jaw tightened. “Nyssa.”

“She’s exhausted, Alaric.”

“I know.”

“She needs sleep.”

“I wasn’t asking about Bethany.”

Her gaze hardened.

There.

The walk.

Mine reflected straight back at me. I fucking hated it.

“What do you want me to say?”

“The truth.”

The word landed between us. Something flickered across her face. Gone before I could understand it. Then she gave a small, humourless smile. “That’s interesting.”

Fuck.

She stepped around me.

I caught myself before reaching for her. Choice. Even now. Especially now. “I’m taking you home.”

She stopped.

Didn’t turn.