Victoria
It had been an entire week since Alexander and I last exchanged a single word. He’d been avoiding me with a stubborn determination that gnawed at my nerves. I wasn’t just irritated, I was hurt.
Had I offended him by offering him a jewel?
The thought had circled around my mind relentlessly. I knew it might have been my fault; I practically shoved the idea that I didn’t need his help right in his face.
I acted childish, prideful. Maybe even reckless.
Letting out a deep sigh, I slumped back in my chair. The steam curling from my teacup carried a soft, calming scent that eased my chest for a fleeting moment.
I wanted to fix things. I wanted us to go back to smiling at each other… as if nothing had happened. But pretending was something neither of us was good at.
“My lady?” Be
