Chapter 221: Blame The Hormones
Evaline:
"What’s going on here?"
We both turned toward the voice, and while my heart stumbled with something close to panic, River showed not even a flicker of surprise.
He didn’t move away in haste, didn’t pretend to be caught red-handed. Instead, he stepped back slowly... like he had all the time in the world and not a care for who had seen us standing so close.
It was Kieran.
River spared him only a brief glance as he stepped aside from me and said in a low voice that was only meant for my ears, "If you are so against it, Miss Evaline, then forget it. Consider the matter closed."
His voice was as smooth and unaffected as always. Then, with no further explanation and no apology, he turned and walked away. His tall form disappeared beyond the heavy dining hall doors, leaving a lingering silence in his wake.
Kieran watched him leave and then turned to me, his brows furrowed in concern. "Evaline... what just happened?"
His voice was low, worried.
I opened my mouth to answer but couldn’t find the words. I didn’t want to talk about it... not now, not when everything was still burning under my skin.
He stepped closer, gently resting his hand on my elbow in a comforting gesture. But my body reacted before my brain could catch up. I jerked my arm away, recoiling from his touch like it burned. And then I turned away, walking a few steps toward the exit.
But the realization of what I just did hit me hard... accompanied with guilt.