Victor straightened, his arm still firm around Elias's waist. "Come," he said, with no room for argument in the word, though his tone was gentled by warmth. "You've starved yourself over footnotes long enough. You'll eat with me."
Elias let himself be drawn away from the desk, the corner of his mouth curving faintly. "You say that like it's an order."
"It is." Victor's hand pressed lightly at the small of his back, steering him toward the hall. "One you'll follow."
The corridor stretched long and hushed, the marble floors reflecting their footsteps. Elias leaned into his side more than he meant to, his body betraying the fatigue his tongue tried to deny. The scent of polished wood and faint spice wafted ahead as the dining room came into view.
Servants had already laid the table, candles flickering, dishes kept warm beneath silver covers. At the sight of them, the staff bowed and vanished soundlessly, leaving the room theirs.
