Chapter 19. Note

Valerie

It took several more minutes of thinking before I finally left the bathroom. My entire being felt chilly as I returned back towards the hall.

“You were gone a while,” Alistair commented as I sat down,

“Is something wrong?”

“Something about the food here perhaps,” I said, barely keeping the acidity in my voice to dismiss him. It took a millisecond after to regret my harshness. He was just worried for me.

I turned to offer a gentle apologetic smile his way. To my relief however, Alistair wasn't offended at all.

As I kept on eating my gaze flew to the empty seat beside Alyn. It was, without a doubt, where Tristan was supposed to be.

The luncheon was nearing its end and I had no idea where to start looking for him. E