But she'd clearly said someone was waiting for her. When she spoke of that person, Nerida's eyes had lit up—that couldn't be faked. She had praised them to the high heavens, saying they were so beautiful that even he couldn't compare.
Nerida figured he must have misunderstood something. After a moment of silence, she said, "I've only ever been with you. What are you talking about?"
'This feels so unfair.' She was the type to admit when she was wrong, but what she hated most was being blamed for something she didn't do. No one was going to pin a fabricated crime on her.
She said once more, "There is no man that I love."
Aeron met her eyes and, instinctively, he believed her. 'He knew how pathetic this was, but what could he do? He just loved this woman—loved her beyond all reason. He'd even believe her lies, if only she'd say a few sweet words to coax him.'
Though that's what he thought, he turned his face away.
