Serena glared at herself angrily in the mirror. She couldn't understand where this fatigue had come from. It wasn't like she had much trouble falling asleep, rather, it was staying asleep that was the problem. She had been in the Keep so long that she felt her limbs had turned into Redwood sap.
She clicked her tongue irritably and turned, only to bump straight into a figure.
"Oh, sorry-" she began, the apology already on her lips.
Then she froze.
Elen stood before her, red-rimmed eyes wide and startled. Her dark brown hair was slightly mussed, and the slight tremble in her jaw betrayed that she'd been crying recently. Serena's eyes widened. This was not the same woman who had twirled her through a reel and laughed deep into the night.
"What is the matter?" Serena asked, her voice instantly low and careful.
Elen looked around, then shook her head quickly. "Nothing," she muttered, too quickly.
Serena reached out and took her by the wrist. "Do not lie to me."
