The hum of voices rose behind us as we stormed out of the Banquet Hall. But I was only a few doors down the hallway, Ash hovering at my shoulder silently, when the deep voice rose behind me.
"Lady Zara!"
I jerked to a halt and turned to find David hurrying down the hallway towards us. My stomach twisted until I really did wonder if I was going to throw up what I'd eaten. His face was blank, and he was coming to talk to me away from the others—but with Ash there.
We waited for him to approach. He received Ash's salute, then turned to me.
"Don't worry about Stark," he said quietly. "He is… protective of me. That's all."
"So am I."
David went still. To my horror it was Ash who spoke.
"You left her hanging out there like a torn flag," he growled.
David's eyes flashed when he cut his gaze to the man who was my Defender in more ways than one.
"You do not know the dynamics at play today."
