Declared

AARYN

"Aaryn, did you hear me: There's nothing going on with Dargyn. I wanted to go to the Weeping Tree to be alone. I'd never take him out there. That's our spot!" she said, then her eyes widened, and her scent laced with a nervous edge, as if she'd said more than she'd intended.

Aaryn stared at her, his heart banging on his ribs. Hope soaring. But he was so scared to give in to it.

She leaned closer and put a hand over his fist, clenched on his thigh, below the tabletop so no one would see. "Aaryn, did you hear me?"

Her touch detonated in his chest and he was on his feet before he could think. She pulled her hand away as if she'd been burned, leaning back like she was afraid of what he'd say.

He didn't even know what he was going to say. Not yet. Not here. So he took her hand and pulled her to her feet, then led her to the back of the stage and the stairs there that led directly outside.

*****

ELRETH