Re: Elevator to First Class
She tried to hold her ground, to keep her feet planted, but when he moved forward toward her, one heel inched back, shifting her weight away from him. "It depends on nothing," she insisted, attempting to regain the steel that was so steadily melting away from her.
"I do no such thing. I am not considering anything, especially not that contains you." Fighting and attempting to stay strong, but she worried that it was a battle she was swiftly losing. The truth was closer to what he was saying than her own words, but she refused to admit it to him.
When he disappeared, reappeared, a scared mouse sound escaped her throat and she whirled, trying to find him from the location of his voice. She turned, her dress flaring out to brush his legs with a hiss of fine material studded with beads and embroidery, then backed away a swift handful of steps, trying to watch him in case he disappeared again. Her heart thundered, pulse racing in a way that felt hard enough to be seen or felt by someone else. She'd forgotten the short sword at her waist, forgotten everything except the man confronting her. "My thoughts do not scream," she said, voice slipping down to a whisper as she gave him another lie. She folded her hands in on themselves, careful fists to try to steady herself.