Aiden
Aiden had asked whether Seraphina wanted to walk before he knew what he was asking for.
The words sounded ordinary.
The hope beneath them was not.
They stood outside the room where the expedition's medical supplies were being checked. Seraphina had brought a corrected list and was waiting for the clerk to return her copy.
"After this?" he asked.
"I have another meeting. We could talk now, if it's something short."
He almost said it was.
Then he saw the difference between what he wanted and the small space she had offered.
"Nothing urgent."
She looked at him.
"Aiden."
He smiled in a way which did not make him feel better.
"You were with Cedric earlier."
"Yes."
"Checking the injury?"
The question came out too quickly.
Seraphina's face changed. Not much. Enough.
"No. I asked him to spend some time with me."
Aiden looked toward the open door.
