Chapter 59: What Is Wrong?
>>Draegon
She glanced at us both but said nothing. Her lips pressed together, and for a moment, I thought she might speak. But then, she turned away and walked toward the drinks table.
I followed, exchanging another worried look with Ariston as I did.
She looks visibly shaken, where the hell did she go?
She reached for a glass of wine, her hand trembling slightly as she brought it to her lips. She downed it quickly, then grabbed another glass just as she placed the empty one back on the table.
"Aelin," I said softly, placing a hand on her arm. "What’s wrong? Talk to me."
She shook her head, avoiding my gaze. "I’m fine," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. "Just tired." She was about to down the second glass when I stopped her by grabbing her wrist.
"If you’re tired, why are you drinking?" I didn’t want to hurt her, so I kept my grip light, it was only strong enough to stop her from drinking, but even then she winced and I immediately let her go.
She didn’t waste a second and drank, finishing the second glass of wine. I noticed that her movements were slow and deliberate, as if she were forcing herself to go through the motions.
Ariston leaned closer to her, his voice coaxing but edged with worry. "Come on, princess, at least tell us where you went?"
I watched her, hoping for any kind of response—an explanation, a denial, anything. But she just stared at the wine glass in her hand, her fingers curling tightly around it as though it were the only thing grounding her.