The corridor outside Alaric's bedroom was hardly used, a place nobody visited in Alaric's absence, except for maids to clean.
Seraphina and Nicholas's footsteps were muted by the narrow, plush carpet. Neither of them spoke, trying to compose themselves. Then, a sudden scream split the silence.
"Ahhh…" Aveline's voice, raw and unguarded.
"You are so fast… Wait…" She cried out. "Oh my god... Ahh... Alaric..."
Before they could think further, there was a warm burst of laughter. Alaric's unrestrained, joyous laughter, the kind they had never heard from him.
"You cheated!" Aveline cried. "It was my first time trying this game!" She broke into half-sobs, tangled with Alaric's deep, amused laughter.
Those sounds tightened Nicholas's fists. His blood surged hot with humiliation and rage. To him, they were mocking everything, the Astors and him.
