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.

and a hint of a smirk tugged at his mouth. He tilted her chin

you say you got something in your eye? Let me

for a split second, Sylvia panicked it felt

about to kiss her. Right here, with all these people

little girl, squished beside them, stared

pressed her hand to Rupert's chest,

eyes sparkled with amusement. "Still lying

pressed her

spilled out, Sylvia took a deep

step before Rupert scooped her up

at them mischievously as they passed. Sylvia wished she

way to Dr. Chris's office, Sylvia

avoided Rupert's eyes, glancing around

she

a doctor were changing Bridget's bandages. When they peeled the gauze away, Sylvia couldn't help and look immediately wished

Bridget's nose, slashing across her eyelid, all the way to her hairline. Her face was swollen, with a patch of hair shaved around the wound,

act. From now

girls like Bridget called a pimple a crisis. She hadn't

Sylvia stared too long, because Bridget locked

bitch!