***
Time seemed to stand still as Nero looked up at Adaria. She’d changed, he realized. There was something deeper about her; more mature, and more of a woman than the last time he’d seen her. Her hair was longer as well, and it held him captive as he took in the sight of her.
But then she pulled her hand out of his, and he felt her close off to him, almost as if an invisible barrier had been set up between them. He took a step back, and tried to catch her eye again. But she had turned away, and he was forced to stand up and walk away.
Emilio went up next, and when Adaria offered her hand to him, not only did he kiss it, but he leaned in and planted a kiss on her cheek. Nero felt ice flood through his veins, and a wild hatred overcame his every thought. He watched as Emilio whispered
