"Took you a while to fetch a glass of water," Zayden said, his red gaze flicking upward, a grin tugging at his lips.
As always, Ren couldn't read that expression. Was it amusement? Or anger, veiled in mockery? He could only guess—perhaps he was mad because he took longer, caught up in the conversation he was having with Paul.
"Bring it here," the general ordered, sliding the map aside.
His eyes followed Ren's every step, as if testing how long Ren would keep his composure under the weight of his stare.
Ren set the glass down in front of him. His fingers brushed the edge of the glass for too long.
"Nervous?" Zayden asked casually, as though it were a harmless question.
Ren's throat tightened, retracting his hand.
"No, my lord."
Zayden tilted his head, the grin softening into something almost gentle.
