"I promise," he answered, serious now, thumb tracing her knuckle. "And when I dive too deep into impossible science, you'll remind me why we build it."
"To protect," she echoed, soft.
A comfortable silence spread—thick, safe, sweet smelling of chocolate and mosslight. Monkey paced in a slow circle on the carpet, lens swiveling like an owl to capture new vantage points.
Elowen's gaze had not left the projection, but she leaned her head onto Mikhailis's shoulder. "I could watch them all night."
"You might," he said, smirking. "The ant soap opera never ends."
She elbowed him lightly—but didn't deny it.
Mikhailis's mind churned behind his steady smile. She absorbs everything, he thought, heart thudding in pleased wonder. Every gleam, every mechanism, every potential improvement. She'll rule not just on instinct but on knowledge. Pride swelled so large it almost hurt. And she trusts me to show her the raw guts of it.
