I walked ahead with hurried, restless steps, while Elara followed behind me with calm, steady strides, unhurried yet somehow matching my pace without any effort at all.
My head was in turmoil, thoughts spinning as the same scene replayed over and over in my mind.
And as if that were not enough, Elara suddenly leaned a little closer. Her nose brushed near my ear, close enough that I felt her breath skim my skin, as though she had noticed something. The sensation made everything even harder to handle.
"Are you wearing perfume?"
My whole body stiffened. I startled, rising slightly onto my toes as heat rushed to my cheeks and neck.
I covered my ear and neck and stepped back abruptly, putting several paces between us.
"W-what are you doing?"
Elara looked faintly wounded, her lips shifting to the side as if she were pouting.
"I smelled something nice and wanted a closer look."
