*Lena*
Xander held out his hand to me, wordlessly, his dark eyes shining like polished obsidian in the light of my chandelier.
I didn't question why he was here, in my room. The ribbon around my heart was tight, straining against every beat as I slowly placed my hand in his and let him guide me into the hallway. He didn't take his eyes off me. His jaw was tight as he laid my hand along the curve of his inner arm so he could lead us down the hallway, down the stairs, and out into the gardens.
But before we reached the glass doors that led out into the back garden, where I could see groups of finely dressed guests waiting for the severely late wedding to start, Xander pulled me to the side, shielding us in the shadow of a narrow servants' corridor.
“What–"
“I am sorry," he said urgen
