As Sasha disappeared down the hall, Aylin stood in the great hall's lingering silence, flanked by Olga and Aimee. The men in the room had shifted their focus elsewhere, but she could still feel their lingering glances—curious, wary, evaluating. None of them approached; none dared speak to her.
She was not sure if it was because of her relationship with Sasha or because they just did not know what to think of her yet. Either way, it was a strange feeling, standing among them and yet apart.
Aimee, however, had no such reservations.
"Well," she said, exhaling loudly and placing her hands on her hips. "I was beginning to believe the fortress would never see another woman worth speaking with."
Aylin arched her brow, unsure whether to interpret the remark as an insult. Aimee only grinned at her, unconcerned about any potential offense.
"There are other women here," Aylin pointed out.
"Pfft." Aimee waved her hand dismissively. "If you could call them that."
