The applause did not fade.
It swelled and rolled through the theatre like a living thing with hands striking together again and again, voices rising, heels stamping against the wooden floor. Noel stood at the centre of the stage, still half Julian Vale, his chest rising too fast beneath the pale costume.
For a moment, he did not move.
The heat of the lanterns pressed against his skin. Petals lay scattered around his bare feet. Somewhere above shouted bravo, and others followed.
He blinked.
Then he bowed.
The movement felt strange, like stepping out of someone else's body. His hands trembled slightly as he straightened, eyes lifting to the sea of faces before him.
They were standing.
Almost all of them were looking at him.
Not Julian.
'Me.'
The thought made his stomach twist.
