ššš¢š„š¢šš”
I took his hand and let him lead me out of the section, passing right by Veronique and onto the centre of the hall. I counted each step in my head, but the stares didn't fade as we took centre stage.
Eyes stared past jeweled masks at us. This time no one spoke. The music roseākeys and strings melding together to create longing made audible.
The centre was a yawning mouth, terrifying. My dread spiked. The exposure made me want to bow my back, to curl into myself and disappear.
"Lili." Vladimir's voice was satin with an edge that pulled me from the brink.
I lifted my gaze, my heart threatening to beat out of my chest.
While I was still caught on him, his cold hand found the small of my backāspreading, settling, stroking.
The aching pull in my chest eased, the contact and proximity giving it what it craved. So it sang, as his other hand took mine, interlacing our fingers so instinctually that mine curled into his in return.
