Stifling silence occupied the crevices between them. Only the consistent cloppering of Chance's hooves prevailed.
Arabella dared not raise her gaze to meet his, and for the first time fondled a different piece of jewelry for comfort than her mother's pendant. The amber stone glistened under the sun, forcing her to shut her eyes and look away at times.
"I apologize for the way I spoke in the caverns," her voice broke the quietude.
"What upsets me is the fact that you suggested we visit the great caverns together and not just me," he spoke in a dry tone. Well, as dry as he forced it to be.
"Alpha Cynric would have never agreed to it if I excluded myself and your chances of securing the spring equinox celebration there would have been reduced," her fingers tapped on the brooch very lightly.
In response, the vampire sighed, "I've told you already. That isn't your burden to carry,"
