Thalina balanced the basket carefully in her arms, her steps light as she made her way through the stone corridors toward Tharion's courtyard.
She had promised herself she wouldn't linger—just drop off the food, make sure he ate, and then head to bed.
Easy.
Except, as she approached, a tiny flicker of anticipation sparked in her chest.
Was she… looking forward to this?
She immediately shoved the thought aside. Absolutely not.
Stepping into his courtyard, she was greeted by the quiet hum of the night. The air was cool, carrying the scent of wildflowers and something faintly earthy.
The palace was always eerily silent at this hour, but here, in this tucked-away corner of Tharion's domain, it felt… different.
Less like a prison. More like—
She cut off that thought immediately.
And then she spotted him.
Tharion was already waiting for her.
Of course he was.
He stood near the entrance to his chambers, arms loosely folded, bathed in the soft silver glow of the moon.
