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"

even through the colored contacts. "Do you trust

"I've always trusted you."JE!

impossible shade. Even when I

blood had made its way down to his chin, and I quickly reached into my pocket for my handkerchief Gently, I wiped the blood from his face. As

should go, Edwin said, his voice low. "The attacker

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by the sensation of his cool fingers wrapped around my waist to

still holding my wrist, and led me away from the scene of the attack. I followed stu**ly, marveling at the

faded-and were

I blurted out

slowed his

with a

if I can pretend it's just for show," I admitted. "Not after everything

on Edwin's lips. "You really want to dance?" he asked,

could see the real color of his eyes.

we were in the gardens. The cool night air was a relief

turned to face me. With a grin, he bowed slightly and extended his hand. "May I have this

my hand in his. "You may.

never been the most experienced dancer, but it didn't matter; Edwin guided

like that, in complete silence, for several long moments. I felt... content. Happy. But there was one last thought on my mind, one

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

faltered for a moment, but only a moment, before he smoothly regained his rhythm. "We shouldn't," he said softly. A muscle feathered in his jaw as he looked over my shoulder and up at the night

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

looked up at him, searching his face. "Why shouldn't we?" I already knew the answer, of course, but for some reason I wanted to hear him say it. Maybe because I

wanted to hear him say that it wasn't that he disliked me, that despite these outside factors, he still wanted me. That these factors meant nothing compared to how badly he wanted to close the

his arm tightening around my waist. He lowered his voice as though he might be overheard, even though we were completely alone. "You know

want

eyes met mine, and

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