LEILA
.
.
I felt the sudden tension in his body, the way his muscles locked up.
His eyes, I knew instinctively, would be wide with surprise, maybe even shock.
He didn't hug me back and after a beat that felt like an eternity, he gently, but firmly, detached my arms from around him, putting a little distance between us again.
He didn’t say anything about the hug.
Just looked down at me, his expression back to that guarded neutrality, though the softness in his eyes hadn't completely vanished.
“Go,” he said, his voice quiet, urgent. “Now. Before” He didn't finish the sentence, but I knew what he meant.
Before Damien came back.
Before my absence from my room was noted.
Before the guards were told to keep a closer eye on me.
I nodded, scrambling awkwardly to my feet, clu
