Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert)

Limping is awkward, no doubt about it.

But right now? This was way worse. Everyone in Kingstoria knew Rupert. And here he was, carrying her up the stairs like it was nothing. Every single eye in the hospital lobby was glued to her.

Sylvia ducked her head, pretending to fix her hair to hide her face.

Rupert glanced down at her, voice low and unexpectedly sharp. "Am I that embarrassing?"

In the past, she'd have blushed bright red. But now, she felt like a deer caught in headlights.

Thinking quickly, she rubbed her eyes and mumbled, "No, it's just-I think I got something in my eye."

"Mm-hmm." Rupert didn't push it.

Once they got into the elevator-packed, noisy, elbows everywhere-Rupert set Sylvia gently on her feet.

Just then, a patient in a wheelchair rolled in, making it even more crowded. Before she could regain her balance, Rupert slipped his arm around her, tucking her into the corner.

Voices filled the air: conversations, phone calls. But all Sylvia could hear was Rupert's steady breathing.

He leaned down, his warm breath brushing her cheek. There was nowhere to hide, so she just stared at the floor.

slid to her flushed ears, and a hint of a smirk tugged at his mouth.

got something in your eye? Let

head, and for a split second, Sylvia panicked

about to kiss her. Right

squished beside them, stared

Rupert's chest, whispering urgently, "No,

eyes sparkled with amusement. "Still lying

cheeks burned, caught red-handed. She pressed her

elevator doors slid open. As the crowd spilled

a step before Rupert scooped

mischievously as they

Chris's office, Sylvia didn't dare hide her face anymore,

eyes, glancing around

she

they peeled the gauze away, Sylvia

eyelid, all the way to her hairline. Her face

act. From now on,

girls like Bridget called a pimple

long, because Bridget locked eyes with

shrieked. "Why is she here? That bitch! This is all your fault! I'll