He lifted a hand and, with unhurried elegance, brushed the dusting of flour from his cheek. A faint, ambiguous smile curved his lips—half amusement, half warning. There was an unmistakable weight to his tone, the quiet pressure of someone long accustomed to standing at the pinnacle of power.
"I came back to life."
Jasper: "..."
Paros glanced at Vangar, then turned to Jasper.
"Weren't you asking who Rory matched with this afternoon?"
He lifted a finger and pointed at Vangar.
"It's him."
Jasper had already suspected as much when he saw Vangar being pushed out of the kitchen. Still, hearing it confirmed left him momentarily stunned.
Vangar… had become Rory's match.
Then what about Vincent's position as her primary partner—could he still hold onto it?
***
Two days later.
Aboard the warship.
Vincent watched as Sylas Ruan laid out stacks of star coins and rare treasures. Once his subordinates finished tallying everything, Vincent reviewed the list and gave a satisfied nod.
