RE'S

dropped into the still lake of m

really

the glass tightly. My eyes kept dri

ans played a soaring melody, and

st stand here all night. Whether he saw you or not, you should let him kn

of my life... The wor

ve the courage to try, what right

sation. He was standing alone to the side,

and possibly las

lass on a passing servant's tray,

enching her fists beh

between the nobles' ornate, scaled gowns and my plain blue dress was glar

ed him, only th

athe. I mustered all the courage I

ost lost in the music,

me, a hint of confusion in them, as if wonderi

t words, a sweet, feminine voice

She leaned against him intimately, her eyes sweeping ov

tely shifted to her. He didn'

ust loud enough to be heard, "Anyone can get in these da

blood turn

thing, anything, in my defense. E

ere words cold enough t

, his tone placating and fond, and said clearly,

nt off in

I could hear was his senten

a Drag

my

e pain so intense I couldn't breathe. All my hopes, all my admira

ant, smug smile o

spun around and ran, like a deser

ear. Tears blurred my visi

rridor, desperate to fi

unning too fast, I sla

iron. The impact made my head

ke my bones would shatter. A cold, mocking voice sounded from above me. "Th