27. A Visit to Palace

Raven stayed with Nevea in her room while Lola went away as her boyfriend, Ian, suddenly called for her. The atmosphere between them suddenly turned stiff, as they did not know what to say to each other. Nevea kept glancing at Raven and to the door, and so did Raven.

Raven took a sharp breath and braved himself to put his palm on top of hers, "Are you okay?" he asked tenderly.

Nevea gave a weak smile and clasped his fingers as if she needed strength from him. But, honestly, she was not okay. Her head was still filled with the thought of ruining Zach with her hands. It was too much, almost impossible for her to hold her anger.

"You don't seem okay to me. Do you want to talk about it?"

"No, but can you hug me?" Her eyes bore into his. Tiredness was palpable in her blue orbs, and Raven did not have the heart to refuse.

"Come here."

Raven opened his arms wide, and Nevea hugged him without hesitation. He was warm, probably the warmest living being she had ever known. "You know, Rave, I