Chapter 32

It started with a dull, high pitched ringing in her ears, downing out the soothing, mellow voice of Arias speaking to her. At first, it was just annoying but now, as it grew louder, it began to hurt. "Thaelia?" His voice was muffled and she knew he said something but not what it was. "You okay?" He asked again but her concentration never strained from the table, her hands clenched on top of the wood as if she were in pain. He reached across the table, his large, warm hands cupping her cheeks, bringing her eyes up to meet his concerned ones. At the skin to skin contact, the ringing dissipated, leaving behind a minor but manageable pain. "Sorry." She blinked a few times to regain focus. "You okay?" He asked again and she nodded, her face still cupped by his hands. "I'm sorry. I'm fine I just-" She back her face away and he reattached his hands as she shook her head. "I'm fine." "I know it is much to hear. Much to think of." He started tracing the callouses on his hands as he