THE HEIRESS THEY BURRIED
"Not the color. Just, the way you're looking at me. Like you actually mean it."
"I do mean it," Aurora said softly.
"Okay," Bee said, some of the wariness finally leaving her posture. "Will you stay until the story's over?" she asked. "Lucien used to tell me stories. About the stars. About Jonathan's telescope."
Aurora glanced back at Lucien, who nodded, his throat too tight to speak.
"I'll stay until the story's over," Aurora said.
She began telling one, haltingly at first, borrowing fragments from what little she knew of Jonathan's observatory, of stars and patience and people who watched over others from a distance until it was finally safe to come close.