Chapter 56: Chapter 56

The next morning, Nereus departed. Before the sun had even risen, Lysandra heard a knock on her door. She didn't even have time to say "Come in" before the door opened and someone stepped in.

"Lysandra," a voice said. She recognized it immediately.

"Nereus, is that you?" she asked, sliding out of bed and crossing the room. "What are you doing in here so early in the morning?"

"I just wanted... to tell you that I'm leaving," he whispered. "This morning."

"Hold on," Lysandra said. "Have you even told Ismene and Vasu and Simon? You're not just going to walk out on them, are you?"

Nereus opened his mouth to reply, but instead of saying anything, he just sighed. "That's what I was going to do."

"Nereus." Lysandra stepped forward and put her hands on his shoulders. "You're leaving here because of me, aren't you? Why wouldn't you say goodbye to everyone else, and walk out on me instead?"

He looked away. "How did you know?"