She was still staring at the door when Aria's voice rang out, sudden and unyielding.
"Rymora."
The name cut through the stillness like a blade. Rymora's head snapped toward her, startled, her steps cautious as she moved closer. She was even more taken aback when Aria—whose gaze was usually calculating, untouchable—gestured toward the chair beside her.
"Sit," Aria ordered, her tone leaving no room for argument.
If that wasn't strange enough, Rymora's shock only grew when Aria signaled for the servants. Plates appeared, dishes steaming, the scent of roasted meat and spiced grains filling the air. She wasn't just offering food—she was ensuring Rymora ate.
Rymora obeyed, trying not to stare. The first bite almost broke her composure. She had eaten well before, but the richness here was unmatched—tender meat sliding apart beneath her teeth, sweet wine warming her throat. Still, the food's pleasure was muted by the weight of Aria's presence.
