28. 2
We reached the edge of the stone pond, where the water was still as the flamingo sculpture sprouted water out from its beak. Elian tugged me toward him, pushing a tendril of my hair back in its bun. “You know what scares me?” he asked, his eyes meeting mine. I was a bit scared by his sudden… seriousness, but I still spoke up. “What?” He smiled, his eyes shining. “That when all of this ends, when the ministers make their decision, when we don’t have to pretend anymore, you’ll leave. And I’ll never get the chance to hold you like this again.” His words moved through me. Inside me. Coursed through every nerve that held my being, making me go stiff. I waited for a chuckle to escape his lips, to tell me that he was joking, but it didn’t. He simply stared at me, as though expecting a respon
- Writer
