Kael did not stop walking until the stone walls of the palace gave way to the open training grounds behind it.
The morning air was colder there, sharper against his skin, and he welcomed it. It did little to quiet the storm inside him, but at least it did not suffocate him the way the dining hall had.
He stood near the edge of the field, fists clenched at his sides, replaying every second of breakfast. Loretta's voice. Her smile. The deliberate way she had looked at him when she spoke about kissing one of the rogue brothers.
Even though he knew she had lied against him, he couldn't openly confront her.
She had seen him.
Not leaving some random corridor.
Leaving Selena's room.
Loretta had not just seen him. She had understood exactly what she had seen.
He dragged a hand through his hair and exhaled slowly, trying to steady the heat in his chest.
Footsteps approached from behind.
He did not turn.
