Chapter 112: Run the Gauntlet 

~ ZARA ~

"Where the fuck have you been?!" Ash hissed. Then a strange grimace gripped his expression. He closed his eyes and let out a breath. "Nevermind. Don't answer that."

The strangest twist of emotions tugged at the center of my chest, a roiling ball of feelings, all conflicting. Anger that he thought he could speak to me that way. Pain, because it was hurting him and I hated doing that. Embarrassment, because I knew how it looked, and knew that it wasn't that. 

I wasn't stupid enough to think Ash and Abigail would think the best of me in this moment, though. 

I could feel my cheeks heating, but pushed out my jaw as Ash hurried across the room towards me. 

"It's not what you think," I insisted.

Ash huffed, but Abigail rushed forward with him, wringing her hands. "We have to get you back to the nurse's chambers. We've covered for you, but once the assistants return for your morning examination—"