Esme – POV
There's something incredibly heartwarming about being accepted by someone as family—especially when it's been so rare in your life. Aside from my mother, no one had ever hugged me with genuine affection… until Lady Raven. Her embrace was warm, sincere, and it moved me more than I expected.
Right now, though, my thoughts are in turmoil. Liam still isn't back… and neither is the team that went to retrieve him.
"You seem distracted, Esme," Lady Raven said gently, her voice pulling me from my spiraling thoughts. She sipped her tea with practiced grace.
"I'm just worried about Liam," I murmured.
"It seems you've taken quite a liking to him," she whispered back. Her words made me blush. She offered a knowing smile.
"So… that rumor's true, then," she added with a teasing lilt. My eyebrows lifted slightly.
"I didn't know there were rumors," I said cautiously.
