The footsteps stopped. Right outside the door.
A shadow fell across the crack at the bottom of the door, blocking the faint light from the hallway. Someone was standing there.
A voice came from the other side. A low, muffled voice.
"Carcel?"
It was Rowan.
Rowan? Ines mouthed the name, too terrified to speak it.
Carcel put a finger to his lips. Shh.
"Carcel," Rowan said again, a little louder this time. "Are you awake? I saw a light."
Ines clutched the sheets to her chest, her heart pounding so hard she was sure the person outside could hear it.
"Rowan?" Carcel called out. "Is there any problem?"
"I need to speak with you," Rowan said. "It is important."
"Now?" Carcel asked. "It is three in the morning."
"I know," Rowan said. "It's urgent. Open up."
Ines shook her head frantically.
No. No, no, no.
Carcel looked at the room. The bed was a mess. The air smelled of intimacy. There was no way to hide this.
