Chapter 54: Potential

Lucien inched forward, his brows dramatically connected, making his confusion and dejection seem so convincing. Come to think of it, every expression and word of his had been extremely masterfully woven—not only him, but the others as well. While these elves were pretending to like me, there were those who showed their real feelings with openness. And honestly, it made more sense if they hated me. The fondness they showed me never sat right with me at first, and I should have kept that suspicion before it got this far. 

"I was not manipulating you," Lucien said. "You came here because you wanted to, because you sought me out in the forest in the dead of the night. I brought you here out of your own wishes alone."