He stood and turned to help his queen to her feet.
When he did, Loren, Ansley, Mary, Marlow and Loren’s friendsstood too.
So Mom and I did as well.
“Will someone tell me what in blazes is going on?”Aunt Marydemanded.
I didn’t pay attention to Mary.
I turned directly to Loren.
“Honey—” I said urgently.
He looked down his nose at me.
“I’ll be at your father’s house at eight tonight.We’ll sayour good-byes then.”
I made a noise like a king’s guard speared me through mystomach, which was what I felt Loren had just done to me.
“Brother,” Marlow bit off.
“I’m away,” Loren bit back.
And then he was just that.
Away.
From me.
ChapterTwenty-Nine
Shadowland
Loren
To his surprise, as he was shrugging on his eveningcoat, it was Lahn who came to him.
Loren said nothing as the large man slipped silently intohis dressing room and went directly to the window, where he looked out.
“I am always amazed by all the green.”
Loren righted his lapels and made no reply.
Korwahkwas very hot.
And very brown.
Thus, no reply was necessary.
Lahn didn’t look at him when he went on, “He does not comebecause he’s angry with you.When Cora was torn from him, he had no control.”
Only then did Lahn turn his attention to Loren.
“When I lost my Circe, it was my doing.”
This was interesting, of course.
Loren didn’t wish to hear it, however.
