All alone.

"Cripes, shut up!"

"Make me!"

Stelon couldn't help but watch the exchange with a sort of amused look on her face, but her small smile quickly faded as Miraye turned to rebuke her, her face flushing a very deep scarlet color as shame swept over her.

"And you...You flirting with the enemy. I had expected better, but now I see you're probably one of those hopeless romantic people."

She cringed as Miraye went on.

"I'm ashamed of even dragging you with me."

Stel opened her mouth to protest, defend herself...do anything to make Miraye understand. But she was quickly shut down. She let her face fall, looking at the ground as the first tear slid slowly down her face and over her cheek, soon to be followed by many more.

The hurt she was feeling was almost unbearable, and she felt like fifty knives had been plunged into her heart repeatedly. All she had ever seeked was companionship and once she finally got it, she ruined it. She was all alone now. Miraye probably hated her now, as did Matthias, and maybe even Farrago and Tic.

And the Shrike...he would not want her now that he knew she had been involved in this conspiracy against him. She was very certain of that. Stelon let her long, billowy hair fall around her to hide her tears and tried to focus on what was happening. And though she succeeded in this for the time being, nothing she did could rid herself of the now empty feeling in her heart and mind.