Vencian shifted his weight and adjusted his sleeves, straightening the cuff as if it needed attention. The silence between him and Aline lingered after her last words about Seris, heavier than either of them cared to carry further. He felt the weight of her gaze on him, waiting for him to say something else. Instead, he drew a slow breath and let his eyes drift to the movement of carriages below.
If I let her keep pressing, she'll dig into places I can't answer. Better to shift the ground before she decides to test me again.
He turned to her. "Enough about me. How have things been at your side?" His tone was casual, though his mind sharpened in focus. "Did your father keep you cooped up at Noriel estate the whole break, or did you manage to do something useful with the time?"
