Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert)

Chapter 474

Sylvia was teetering on her heels atop the uneven cobblestones when she lost

her balance and all but fell right into Lester's arms.

"Sorry!" she blurted out, scrambling to straighten herself.

Before she could pull away, Lester gently brushed her hair with his hand.

"You had a leaf stuck there," he said, holding up the culprit.

She quickly smoothed her hair, feeling her cheeks flush. "Thanks."

"Do you always have to be so formal?" Lester arched an eyebrow, a hint of a smirk playing on his lips.

Sylvia was about to explain herself when Reese's voice rang out from behind them.

"I wondered where you'd disappeared to-turns out you had other plans."

Sylvia spun around, only to be met with Reese's cold, dark stare. There was an intensity there that sent a chill up her spine, as if his eyes were ink that never quite dried. She instinctively took a step back.

Lester stepped smoothly between them, his tone light. "Aren't you two supposed to have some alone time? Come on, everyone's already in the main hall. Let's not keep the guests waiting."

"Of course." Reese looped his arm through Rupert's. "Mr. Rupert, shall we? My brother can look after Sylvia."

Rupert merely nodded, but before he left, he shot Sylvia a look so icy and sharp she felt like she might shatter under it.

Sylvia, desperate for Lester not to notice anything, forced a calm voice. "We should go too."

Lester nodded.

they reached the doors to the main hall. There,

"Sylvia."

"Yeah?" she answered, distracted.

was right,

eyes sparkled with a warmth that made her heart skip

Reese's words in her head. Other plans.

was completely at a loss, nervously

"-"

came hurrying

the chance to break eye

is acting up again. She needs you in

everything else. She apologized quickly to

all busy in the main hall, so the garden

Sylvia hurried inside.

but got no answer. Worried, she picked

the flick of a lighter

heart sank. Rupert, who should have been greeting guests, stood there

window, cigarette in

She'd been

The window

letting the

was cracked open,

breeze swirl the smoke

face, blurring

and making his glare even more