Ronin was pinned to the spot by her words. Shocked and shaken to his core. Allowing Thea to slip away and into the night. He stared after her. As the door that swung closed with a clang in her absence. She had never been married. Never. He lifted a hand, numb to his chest. His heart was moving far too slowly, sluggish with weight. He wouldn’t chase after her. He couldn’t. Not when he felt that his legs had been cut out from beneath him.
He tried to take a breath and found himself bent over. He lost track of time, regaining his composure, so much that the door opened again. He flushed, searching for some easy lie to tell whatever lovers were sneaking away from the party. Only to feel relief as George stepped through.
‘What are you doing out here?’ George held the door open, and Ronin ste
