Noctisardor Bypass He'd never upset you, never forget you

It took all of Anselm's strength to remain composed as he saw a pair of wide golden eyes greet him. He nearly wheeled back to glance at Etienne, but suddenly his spine was rigid as he thought of every accusation Etienne lobbed his way.

For once, Anselm kept his mouth shut -- but even then, the silence did nothing to hide the budding fury that rose to his gaze. Here was Heda, the harlot that started it all. The one to put a wedge between them and--

Oh, he knew this wasn't true. He steeled his shaking limbs, listening in disbelief as Heda suggested the unthinkable. He half-scoffed, half-sobbed -- the choking sound barely registering as a whimper. How could she suggest he leave, after everything? Did she know him -- did she not experience the same abandonment?

And all of these wise words supplied by an expression of knowing that Anselm hated seeing alight her pearly face. His heartbeat raged against his chest, which now felt so tight he thought for a second his ribs would splinter through flesh.

For the tenderest moment, it almost looked as if Anselm had let his walls crumble down. In a second's breadth it looked that he might sob and reach for her to be held -- only for that vision to extinguish violently against a sudden expression of anger.

I vould blame me. He countered, refusing to acknowledge the hidden admission that neither party dared speak aloud. He straightened his ruff, inhaled the last of his shaky breaths, steadied his galloping heart, quelled his rising anger, and in long sweeping strides made to move past Heda without another word.