I felt a pang in my chest, but I forced myself to remain calm. Aldric’s gaze swept over the room, briefly landing on me before he turned his attention to Seraphine, guiding her to their seats.
Eamon, noticing the tension between us, leaned in and whispered, “You okay?”
I gave him a small nod, though my heart felt heavy. “I’ll be fine.”
As the night wore on, I did my best to blend into the background, quietly sipping my drink and making small talk with the other guests. But every so often, I caught Aldric watching me from across the room, his eyes cold and calculating.
At one point, I excused myself to get some air, slipping out onto the balcony to escape the suffocating atmosphere inside. The cool breeze was a welcome relief, and I closed my eyes, trying to center myself.
“You always were one to slip away unnoticed,” a deep voice said from behind me.
I turned, startled, to find Aldric standing in the doorway, his arms crossed as he leaned casually against the frame.
“I needed some air,” I replied, my voice tight.
Aldric’s eyes narrowed slightly, and he stepped forward, his presence imposing as always. “You’ve been avoiding me all night.”