Jae's boots clicked lightly against the stone floor, the sound echoing faintly in the still room.
Tirel shut the door behind them with an easy flick, the click of the latch sounding final, sharp enough to make him glance back at it. A small crease formed between his brows, his usual composure giving way to a fraction of concern.
"You think that's going to lock on us?" he asked, his tone half-serious, half-casual, though his eyes lingered on the brass handle, noting its smooth surface and faint gleam.
She leaned against the door, arms crossed loosely, her weight on one hip, observing him with a glint in her eyes that seemed to challenge him. "Relax. If it locks, I'll just open it again," she said, voice calm, teasing, confident. It wasn't arrogance, it was certainty, the kind of certainty that made him pause for a heartbeat and consider just trusting her.
