The night had not yet released its hold upon the estate when the quiet tension of the courtyard followed Elara up the stone steps and into the shadowed corridors of Regina's great house, where lanterns burned low along the walls and the scent of rain-damp wood lingered like a fading memory of the storm, and though her footsteps remained calm and steady the thoughts turning through her mind refused to settle into any peaceful order.
Two lines of quiet breath escaped her lips.
"Hmm."
"What a ridiculous night."
She reached the upper gallery and paused beside the tall window overlooking the courtyard, where the torches below still flickered softly and Alessandro's voice drifted faintly through the cool air as he spoke with Isabella, their conversation continuing though the mood had changed the moment they realized Elara had been watching from above.
