Phoenix Maplewood I don't feel connected to all of your lies.

If Etienne found the faux pas distasteful, he didn’t give any indication. The little laugh that escaped him warmed Cambria’s belly, untying the knot there. He still felt a little mortified, though he marshaled his courage and glanced upward to catch a glimpse of the other man’s expression right as Etienne spoke again. His voice cast cast another spell over the yearling.

I, he began haltingly once more, though the words flowed out of him a little more naturally now as he explained, I thought I heard someone in distress. I wanted to make sure they were alright…

He trailed off for a moment, sucking in a breath. Although the puffiness of his face didn’t detract from Etienne’s handsomeness, it was very obvious he’d been the source of the anguished sounds. Part of Cambria wanted to offer the man his discretion and privacy. Another yearned to step forward and do what he could to comfort him.

Was that you? he asked, though they both knew it was rhetorical. He was quick to add in a slightly softer voice, Are you alright?