Chapter

91

Audrey & Third Person

Audrey's POV

"So it was you.

The man in the midnight blue mask remained silent, crouching just feet away from me. This was no stranger; this was Edwin. Edwin was the one who had kissed me at the masquerade And 125

Edwin was the one who had saved my life.

Slowly. I picked up my skirt and walked toward him. As I approached, I could see the smallest droplet of red at the corner of his mouth-blood, but not his. The attacker's.

With trembling hands, I reached out and gently removed his mask. I was met with those high cheekbones, that aquiline nose that I had come to know so well. He didn't flinch away as I revealed his face. It was definitely him, although he looked different with colored contacts and a clean-shaven face. But I felt like a fool for not realizing it sooner.

For a long moment, neither of us spoke. I had never seen his face without stubble before-the smooth contours of his cheeks, the sharp line of his jaw. Without thinking, I cupped his face in one hand and traced my thumb across his skin, marveling at the smoothness. He leaned into my touch, his eyes closing briefly.

"Are you mad at me?" Edwin finally broke the silence, his voice hardly more than a whisper. "For coming tonight?"

I blinked at him in shock, then shook my head, I was still unable to speak, too stunned by what had happened to find the right words.

Noticing my silence, he continued, "I heard that Max was planning something tonight. That he intended to harm you at the masquerade" He paused, tilting his head slightly to look up at me, but remained in a crouch in front of me. "I couldn't... I couldn't bear the thought of you getting hurt or upset. So I came to keep an eye on you, but I didn't want you to know I was

here."

Awry smile tugged at his lips before I could respond. "But it seems as though fate had other plans for me tonight."

When he finished speaking, he looked over his shoulder in the direction that the small gray wolf had run. The maze-like corridors of the estate were quiet now, save for the distant echo of the masquerade music.

"Of course I'm not mad," I said softly, I swallowed hard. "How could I be? You saved me. You're... you're my hero, Edwin."

His eyes widened slightly at my words.

"And I'm sorry" I added before he could say anything else, feeling a lump form in my throat. "For yelling at you the other day. You were just trying to help, and I pushed you away"

his eyes intense even through the colored contacts. "Do you trust

"I've always trusted you."JE!

an impossible shade. Even when

to his chin, and I quickly reached into my pocket for my handkerchief Gently, I wiped the blood

low. "The

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the sensation of his cool fingers wrapped

the attack. I followed stu**ly, marveling at the planes of his

faded-and were replaced by memories of our dance. Our

dance with you again," I blurted out before I could stop

slowed his

with a surprised

party. I'm not sure if I can pretend it's just for show," I admitted. "Not

lips. "You really want to dance?" he asked, stopping

the real color of his eyes. I nodded, and he murmured. "Who says we need to go back to the

night air was a relief

he bowed slightly and extended his hand. "May I have this dance. Miss

as I placed my hand in his. "You may. Professor

from inside. I had never been the most experienced dancer, but it didn't matter; Edwin guided me

Happy. But there was one last thought

you... will you still go on the planetarium date

a moment, before he smoothly regained his rhythm. "We shouldn't," he said softly. A muscle feathered in

sank, but then he continued, "But yes, I will. Even though

but for some reason I wanted to hear him say it. Maybe because I just wanted to know if our reasons were the same-outside factors that were pulling us apart,

he disliked me, that despite these outside factors, he still wanted me. That these factors meant nothing compared to how

tightening around my waist. He lowered his voice as though he might be overheard, even though we were completely alone. "You know why, Audrey. I'm your

want to?" I

met mine, and the

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