There was no room for discussion in his tone.
Valerie lowered her head slightly. She understood. This permission came with conditions as always.
"All right," she said.
There was no triumphant smile. No complete relief. Only a quiet acceptance.
As Valerie walked out of the room to prepare herself, she realized something clearly she was indeed allowed to go, but that freedom still rested firmly in Demian's grasp.
And Demian, standing alone in the chamber, stared at the closed door with a tangle of emotions caught between his need to control and the fear that one day, even that control would no longer be enough to make her stay.
The city center that day was filled with color and sound.
