Obviously, communication is an art.
And there are things people say to deepen relationships. Sincere compliments. Shared experiences. Warm laughter over a good meal.
But just the same, there are things in life that should never be talked about.
Like receding hairlines.
Or someone's mysterious weight change.
Or, in this particular case, anything that might launch a war.
Which is exactly what Lyra's mouth was doing.
"My Lord! Lord Hale was just comforting me because I didn't notice the disappearance of the contracts he already prepared," she squeaked. Her voice kept rising in pitch like a tea kettle preparing for death.
Riley wanted to disappear. He wanted to evaporate. Melt through the floor like a sad puddle of regret.
But unfortunately, the flames licking through the air weren't hot enough to kill him. If anything, they felt... warm. Like a cozy furnace in winter. And that made everything worse.
