The sound of ceramic cups and the pouring of tea were too sharp for the ears in the parlor. Rasmus and Zechariah watched Natia gracefully pour the tea into the teacups that looked mesmerizing. The Natia Rasmus saw was different from the Natia that was standing in between him and Zechariah. She looked sober, and her expression looked more alive than the ones that she had shown in her chamber.
"Stay," Zechariah broke the silence as soon as Natia finished pouring the tea that she had brewed herself.
Natia let a smile appear on her face for a brief moment before she hid it as soon as Zechariah saw it. She put down the tea pot and settled down on the soft couch beside him, not too far, not too close, enough to look comfortable with each other's presence.
