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“I think,” she murmured between kisses, “you’re a much better kisser than I expected.”

“You expected otherwise?” Asterion chuckled, the low rumble vibrating pleasantly beneath her cheek.

“I thought you’d approach it like combat.”

“Combat?” His brows lifted.

“All determination. No finesse.”

He looked almost offended. “I have finesse.”

“Oh?”

“Aye.”

“You might.” She smiled, brushing another quick kiss to his lips.

He answered with a grin that transformed his usually stern features into something unexpectedly handsome. “I’m glad you’ve noticed.”

A gentle laugh escaped her, the sound muffled by his shoulder, and she settled back into his embrace. Ria wasn’t sure when she’d fallen asleep. One moment she had been nestled beside Asterion, listening to the comforting rhythm of his heartbeat, and the next she was blinking awake, still tucked beneath his arm with her cheek resting upon his chest. The fire had burned lower in the hearth, filling the living room with a warm amber glow, while the fading afternoon light stretched long shadows across the stone floor.

The quiet was broken by the cheerful chime of her mobile. She frowned and reached into the pocket of her sweater, pulling it out. The screen lit up with a message from Liora.

“Oh.”

Asterion glanced down. “Something wrong?”

“No. Liora sent the address.” She turned the phone so he could see. “It’s near the office. I guess Zara lives nearby.” Her smile faltered as she saw the time in the corner of the screen. “I should probably get ready.”

She reluctantly pushed herself upright, but the moment she stood, the room swayed just enough to make her lose her balance. Before she could catch herself, Asterion’s hands were already on her waist, steadying her as though it was the most natural thing in the world.

“Easy,” he said.

“I’m fine.”

“I know.”

Asterion held her for another moment before helping her to her feet. He stood, too, but neither of them moved away immediately. They were still close enough that Ria could feel the heat coming off him.

She wasn’t sure what they were supposed to do now. They had kissed, fallen asleep together on the couch, and somehow managed to spend an afternoon together without arguing every five minutes. That alone felt significant.

Ria studied his face. She wanted to know whether he regretted kissing her. More importantly, she wanted to know whether he wanted to do it again. She certainly did, which was probably information she should keep to herself until she had some idea what was happening inside that stubborn head of his.

Asterion looked like he might say something. His mouth opened, but after a moment, he closed it again. Ria waited. When he still said nothing, she realized she wasn’t quite ready to ask either.

Ria finally offered him a small smile. “I’ll be ready in about thirty minutes.”

“Alright.” He nodded.

She took a reluctant step backward, and his hands slipped from her waist. “Meet me by the front door?”

For just a moment, she thought he might close the distance between them again. She caught the faint shift in his posture, the almost imperceptible way he seemed to lean toward her before stopping himself. Instead, he smiled, that small, genuine smile that she’d only begun seeing today.

“I’ll be there.”

It wasn’t the answer she’d secretly hoped for, yet it still warmed her heart. She returned his smile before turning away, unable to keep the lightness from her step as she went to her room. She felt his gaze following her all the way to the landing, and somehow that made her smile even more.

The front door had barely closed behind them before Ria started looking around. Everything about the space felt sturdy—oversized furniture crafted from dark oak, broad archways, and shelves lined with hand-forged trinkets and polished gemstones collected from around Vale Crossing. Then she started noticing the smaller things. Colorful throw pillows on the deep leather sofa, and photographs from the Upperworld sat alongside drawings of Vale Crossing. A stack of novels rested on a side table beside a half-finished knitting project. Ria smiled as she took it all in. Hektor might have needed the oversized furniture and high ceilings, but Zara had clearly made herself at home here too.