Taylor — Mikki

“To the proposal,” Elara said, her voice like a needle on a distant record. “He asked me to run away with him. To the city. I was afraid. I said nothing. He left that night. I ran after him—in the rain—and the carriage…”

The air lifted. The heaviness dissolved. Elara faded slowly, starting with her feet, then her hands, then the sad furrow between her brows. The last thing to disappear was her smile. mikki taylor

Elara was younger than Mikki expected. Early twenties, with dark hair pinned in a style from a century ago. Her face was troubled, not frightening. She didn’t seem to see Mikki at first. She paced. Seven steps up, seven steps down. “To the proposal,” Elara said, her voice like