Dydra frowned, her vision blurred by tears as she turned toward the voice. The moment her eyes met his—those familiar midnight-dark eyes—her heart lurched violently in her chest. Shock shot through her, chasing away the fragile control she had been clinging to, and she sprang to her feet almost instinctively.
"M-My lord… what are you doing here?" she asked, her voice trembling despite her attempt to sound composed. Even as she spoke, her body betrayed her intentions. She began taking small, careful steps backward toward her horse, movements subtle enough that someone less perceptive might have missed them entirely.
Leonard noticed.
"What do you think?" he replied, one brow lifting slightly.
The weight of his gaze pressed down on her like a physical force. Dydra's lips pressed together, her throat tightening.
"I—I…" The words refused to come. Her mind had already spiraled elsewhere.
