The night was quiet.
Not the heavy silence that had settled over dinner earlier, but the softer stillness that came when a long day had finally come to an end.
Moonlight poured through the tall window beside the bed, pale and silver, stretching across the polished floor like liquid light. The curtains stirred faintly in the cool breeze, and the distant sounds of the estate had long since faded.
I lay beneath the blankets, my head resting against Elias's chest.
His arm was wrapped loosely around my waist, warm and heavy, the steady rhythm of his breathing rising and falling beneath my cheek. For a long moment I simply listened. His heartbeat was slow. Calm.
Safe.
[Host.]
Yes.
[You appear unusually peaceful.]
Do not ruin it.
Nero sounded faintly offended.
[I merely observe.]
