Lumina's pulse hammered so loud she could almost hear it in the night air.
She could no longer deny that Ashen had been standing behind her long enough to hear everything.
She had been trying to push this away with the thought that he had never heard her past conversations with Seraphina.
"When did you get here?" Her voice broke the silence, softer than she intended.
Ashen tilted his head, stepping closer until the space between them felt too small.
"Why ask me that when you were the one who told me to come out and share the fresh air with you?" His tone was smooth but laced with something she couldn't name.
She swallowed hard, her fingers curling against her dress.
"Don't try to hide words under your tongue, Ashen," Lumina accused. "This isn't the first time I have felt this. It's the third time but I always feel like you keep pretending."
He only snickered, making her breath hitch as he closed the distance, stopping just in front of her.
