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.

a smirk tugged at his mouth. He tilted her chin

got something in your eye?

lower his head, and for a split second, Sylvia

about to kiss her. Right here, with all these

girl, squished beside

hand to Rupert's chest, whispering urgently,

eyes sparkled with amusement. "Still lying

burned, caught red-handed. She pressed her lips

open. As the crowd spilled

step

turned and grinned at them mischievously as they passed. Sylvia wished she could melt into the

Dr. Chris's office, Sylvia didn't dare hide

Rupert's eyes, glancing

she

changing Bridget's bandages. When they peeled

ran from the side of Bridget's nose, slashing across her eyelid, all the way to her hairline. Her face was swollen, with a patch of

From now on,

looks"-after all, rich girls like Bridget called a pimple a crisis. She hadn't expected it

long, because Bridget locked eyes with

here? That bitch! This is all your fault! I'll kill