She gathered her long, luscious braid over her left shoulder, hugging it against her chest like a security blanket. It was an old habit, one that Aunt Lysia had tried to train her out of, any number of times. Usually, Ariadne was good at remembering her lessons. But at the moment, there was just a little too much buzzing around in her brain to worry about manners.

Anyway, who could begrudge her some comfort?

"After we died in the cave," she said, almost dismissive, assuming that it was somewhat common knowledge.

She really had no idea what people were saying. Connor was actually the first person she'd really conversed with, other than the typical pleasantries of the day.