Celia sensed Silas still hadn't left. Just as she was about to say something more, a tall figure loomed over her from behind. A large, elegant hand with knuckles as fine as jade gently but firmly took the little object she was fiddling with and placed it to the side.
Celia froze for a moment. "Silas?"
"Cece." Silas's voice was cool and gentle, his tone utterly casual as he made an unusual request. "I want my candy first."
Startled, Celia whirled around. The man was standing incredibly close, their bodies nearly touching. As she turned, he reflexively reached out, pulling her into a loose embrace and lowering his head slightly to look at her.
His expression was calm, maintaining that noble, ascetic air, but a subtle turbulence swirled in the depths of his eyes. If she hadn't heard him say it herself, she never would have imagined that such desires were stirring beneath that pure and noble facade.
