Noel steps behind Sarah, putting his hands on her shoulders, and squeezes. He glances at Alden.
Alden shakes his head.
Noel huffs, tearing his hands from her, and crosses his arms.
Alden holds his gaze upon Celestia, smirking. “My ladies, you’re free to go.” Stepping aside, he puts out his hand to the flap and bows.
Sarah looks at Celestia, then Alden.
Celestia leans forward, seizing Sarah’s wrist, and pulls her out to the busy market path. She glances down at her hand and the blood sticking their skin together. Jerking her hand away, she rubs her fingers until the half-dried red smears roll into sticky balls. She wipes her hand on her dress, giving her fingers one last glance before letting her hand hang.
Sarah cuts her eyes to the drying blood on her sleeve and skin. She holds her
