Erian walked along the path leading to the temple, trying to steady his breathing. He still wore the veil over his head, and although he no longer needed it, he adjusted it with one hand out of sheer insecurity.
The night lay quiet over the forest, but he felt an urgent pressure to hurry. He couldn't stop imagining Liriel in her room, alone, sad, maybe convinced that her presence only caused trouble.
He had made the mistake of postponing that conversation for too long. He knew it well.
He didn't want to convince her to stay at the temple, not after being so clear in rejecting her.
But he did want her to enjoy the evening with her companions.
To not lock herself away to suffer alone.
If she truly intended to transfer to another temple, at least she deserved to leave with a warm memory, not a bitter emptiness.
Erian quickened his pace when the first temple columns appeared between the trees. The interior lights were dim; only a few lamps were lit to illuminate the main hallways.
