And that silence was more dangerous than any words.
"Pearl?" Lupien called softly, his voice laced with an affection so intense it made Sorayah's stomach churn with disgust. His eyes, warm and longing, searched her face as if trying to resurrect someone long gone.
"I'm not Pearl, Your Highness," Sorayah said firmly, swallowing hard as she placed her frail hands against his chest in an attempt to push him away. He didn't budge...his weight, both physical and emotional, pinning her down like a nightmare. "Get off me."
"Where do you think you're going?" Lupien asked, his breath ragged, as though he had just run a marathon. His voice trembled with desperation. "I told you not to leave me. Are you really going to disobey me? Break my orders?"
