Eagene was just about to enter the cave and remind Alyssa of the time when the elven princess emerged from its darkened depths. The scent of the hot springs’ slightly sulfurous waters temporarily made it impossible to tell if her brother succeeded in gentling his soon-to-be bride.
Alyssa’s hooded cloak hid all but the lower part of her chin within its darkness, but even so, Eagene thought something about her had changed.
“I was just about to remind you of the time,” Eagene teased.
“My aunt will look in on the twins upon the second chime of the clockwork mechanism in the tower. The moon already hangs low in the sky, and we will be far too late.”
Her panic struck the teasing mirth from Eagene’s heart as she followed Alyssa down to the sandy beach and up the steep incline.
They rushed c
