“Cedric, stop!” Marisol called out, running after Cedric, who was idly walking back to the hidden castle, getting nothing in reply or even in the way of acknowledgment.

She ran until she bumped into him, hearing as he sucked in a sharp breath before turning around ever so slowly.

“Yes, Marisol?” He asked in a tired drawl, and Marisol fought back a confused splutter, blinking.

“What do you mean ‘Yes, Marisol?’! What was that about? What are you doing?”

He looked away, then ...