I feel the tips of my ears turn scarlet.
"So do you," I reply.
We stand from the table.
"How's Kilorn?" Cal asks.
"The usual."
We settle into an awkward silence.
"I see you're wearing the earring I gave you,"
I blush, of course I am, it's the only piece of the person I love that came with me to Montfort. Suddenly the thought makes want to cry.
"I missed you Cal," I say quietly.
He hears it all the same.
"I missed you too Mare."
I move closer to him, soaking in his warmth. He wraps his arms around me and we begin to walk.

We reach a living area and sit next to each other on the long plush sofa.
We talk for hours, about what's happened in the last year, about my family, and about the remaining members of his.
"So how long are you staying?" Cal asks,
"I have no idea; until Evangeline is finished catching up with Wren and Ptolemus I guess," I answer truthfully.
Cal raises an eyebrow.
"I guess Evangeline didn't tell you that Ptolemus is sick and neither Wren or Sara can help him then," he says.
My mouth just hangs open in shock. I lift his arm off of my back and stand.
"I must find Eve," I mutter as I run from the room, my dress flowing behind me.

I run through the corridors of the palace finding my way to Evangeline's quarters. When I arrive at the door, I all but wrench it open. I am met by Elane standing in the doorway.
"El, please, where is Eve," I ask, panting.
Elane remains silent but steps to the side, to reveal a sobbing Evangeline sitting on their bed.