The fire in the hearth cast dancing shadows across dark wood furniture and rich tapestries. Candles provided intimate lighting that softened harsh edges while creating pools of warm illumination.
He had prepared carefully for this encounter. His formal dinner attire had been replaced with simple black clothing that emphasized the breadth of his shoulders and the lean strength of his frame.
Echo hung within easy reach, a reminder of the violence he was capable of even in moments of apparent vulnerability.
[She's coming,] Caius observed with anticipation. [I can practically feel her excitement from here. This should be entertaining.]
The soft knock at his chamber door came exactly when expected. Mira had allowed him enough time to return home, change into something more appropriate for seduction, and make the journey to his estate under cover of darkness.
"Enter," Grim called.
