“Arwen.”
Robyn’s voice suddenly softened, gentler than before. She looked at her new friend with tender eyes, though a quiet, pressing curiosity lingered behind them. “May I ask you something?”
Arwen, still gazing down at the basket of flowers in her lap, turned slowly. “Of course, Robyn. What is it?”
Robyn bit her lower lip, her eyes drifting toward the small lake at the edge of the garden. Sunlight shimmered on the surface of the water, trembling softly as if it, too, were listening to their secret.
“You said earlier… you’re bound to someone. A bond that hurts so deeply it’s hard to breathe.” She turned, meeting Arwen’s eyes directly. “Who is he?”
The question made Arwen’s heartbeat quicken. The air around her suddenly felt heavy and cold.
“Why do you want to
