DESDEMONA

I froze on the spot.

Our eyes locked from across the courtyard.

For a brief second, the entire world seemed to disappear, leaving only the two of us standing there. I quickly looked away, pretending not to notice him. When I glanced back toward Greta, she was already gone.

Good.

At least she wouldn't get into trouble because of me.

I lowered my head and hurried toward the corridor leading to the servants' quarters. My legs felt strangely heavy, each step slower than the last. My heart refused to calm, pounding so loudly that I could hear it in my ears.

Something felt wrong.

The air behind me suddenly...