Page 82 (1/2)

Ian stood at his bedroo the goings on of mortals He wrenched the ard It squeaked and whined, re time since he'd opened it

Below hi a party

Johann and Lara were the leaders, strolling ar tree to sheltering tree, gesturing wildly Maeve cartwheeled past thehter floated upward The queen strode forward, waving at invisible subjects

Selena so, then she shot to her feet and clapped, twirling and twirling until she fell in a laughing heap to the grass The apple and tulip necklace hung at a cockeyed angle around her throat A single petal fluttered to the grass, a brilliant white spot on the ereen carpet

Selena said so he couldn't quite an soly down on the The joyous sound of their laughter rang in the warm, sea-scented air

Ian tried to ust; after all, it was such an exceptional display of lunacy

195

196

But surprisingly, he felt no such contempt A smile, slow and tentative, crept across his face

Which wasday, or hiding in a lonely, darkened roo an unnecessary sense of isolation?

All at once, Selena looked up at hiaze all the welcome he could ever want She waved hi toward the beach and the little party followed him

He knew instantly that he, too, would follow He could try to do otherwise, could pretend indifference and force himself to remain alone, but he wasn't so dishonest He wanted to be with her

He stepped back froes of yesterday flashed through hishim

Aht In an instant, a heartbeat, Selena had offered Ian a choice, and with nothing , than a smile

I feel love for you, Ian