She thought he'd be with the others. Probably still shaking hands with the older dons. So she didn't expect to see him the moment she turned the corner.
But he was there. Standing commandingly in the middle of the hallway.
She stopped walking.
He didn't say anything right away. He just looked at her.
"I saw him leave after you," he said finally.
She said nothing.
"What was that about?" he asked, but it didn't sound like a real question. He already had his answer, and now he was just poking to see if she'd lie.
"Uhmm… nothing. I just went outside for some air and he wasn't there."
She looked at the floor, then past him, then anywhere that wasn't his face.
He walked closer. "You really think I didn't notice?"
Her lips parted like she might explain something, then she gave up halfway and shook her head.
He took a step closer. "You're keeping secrets now."
She stayed quiet.
"The way he looks at you," he said. "You think I don't see it?"
Still nothing.
He stared at her, leaned in close so his words really sink in. "Just know this. I've killed for less than that."
He didn't wait for a response. He just walked away.
She remained frozen in place, her heart knocking painfully against her ribs, the ring like ice on her finger.