The door opened, spilling warm light into the hallway. Mozrael stepped in first, her fingers twitching at her sides as the room swallowed her. It was the sa room, but sothing was different.
She suddenly felt it- a gaze. Not just watching, but judging. The kind that made her stomach tighten.
She resisted the urge to shrink back, to press closer to Aramith’s side. There was no point in showing discomfort now, not when they had just walked in. Instead, she forced herself to keep calm.
Aramith stepped in next, and in that mont, he also felt it—a sharp presence that felt overwhelming. It wasn’t the warmth of the room that caught his attention first. It was the weight of the gaze.
Across the dimly lit room, a figure stood against the wall. He wasn’t just watching. He was assessing. Calculating. His stance was relaxed, but his eyes held the kind of quiet aggression that didn’t co from blind rage. It was asured, like soone who had already decided what he would do if either of them made the wrong move.
The atmosphere was tense as they locked eyes. Aramith didn’t move and Mozrael barely breathed.
Before Aramith or Mozrael could act, Lynnor suddenly poked her head in. "What’s with you guys? My place not good enough for you?" That was when she noticed him standing there.
"Oh, it’s Lydan. He’s just shy, don’t mind him at all."
Aramith and Mozrael couldn’t take her seriously.
You’re telling a guy standing there glaring at us with "I’ll kill you if you breathe" written all over his face and in the air he breathed out was just shy? She’s even crazier.
She lowered her voice into a whisper. "He’s my betrothed. We’ll be marrying soon enough."
But you’re way older than him
"Co on, little guardian," She clicked her tongue. "Are you just there to make sure we haven’t stolen anything or you’re here to give a hug?"
Stole? Aramith and Mozrael were getting more lost in all this.
Lydan said nothing. His gaze flickered past her, locking onto Mozrael, then Aramith. He studied them for a breath too long, his fingers flexing slightly before tightening back into his crossed arms.
"Let guess," Lynnor continued, dropping onto a chair and stretching. "You already talked to your sister, and now you hate them. That right?"
Still, Lydan said nothing. He just watched.
Then, in one smooth motion, he pushed himself off the wall, stepping toward them. The way he moved made it clear he wasn’t acting on impulse.
"You shouldn’t be here," he said at last. His voice was quiet but firm.
Aramith t his gaze. "We’ll be leaving at dawn, Lynnor invited us just for tonight."
Lydan’s eyes narrowed slightly. His jaw tensed as if those words weren’t enough to ease his fury. But then, he stepped aside, making way for them to pass.
Lynnor grinned. "See? He’s just shy. Now co kiss your lovely wife."
Lydan spat onto the floor. "You’re an old woman."
"That hurt my feelings but I’ll let it pass."
Mozrael knew the words old woman hurt her more than she showed. The vein on Lynnor’s forehead confird her thoughts.
Lydan was leaving but Lynnor pulled him back.
"You’re not leaving yet." He glared at her.
Lynnor covered her body coquettishly. "Don’t look at with that intense look. We’ll take a bath, but not now..." She was acting like a maiden in love. Lydan spat again, disgusted.
Mozrael’s face burned. She felt like she’d seen this scene before.
"Let’s eat first. Everyone’s here." She said
Without a word, Lydan moved to the kitchen and started putting dishes together.
"No need to waste our ti, Let this wonderful woman handle this," Lynnor waved at him and raised her arm. food poured out of her space bracelet onto the table. It was enough food for them all. To top it all off, the steam could be seen rising from the food. Lydan didn’t seem affected at all, but Aramith and Mozrael couldn’t hide their interest.
"I know you want to know, but it’s a secret." she placed a finger on her lips and winked.
They looked at the food, not having an appetite. Not after how things had turned, but they knew they needed the strength.
"I’m going to call Jade," Lydan said as he left. He paused and looked straight at Aramith. "I’m not supposed to harm you, but if you try anything, I’ll make you regret it," he said calmly, but the threat was clear.
"Awww don’t be like that," Lynnor teased. ," Now go call your sister"
It wasn’t clear whether Lynnor was serious, ssing with everyone, or just completely unhinged, but Aramith could feel the tension. He knew things could get worse.
"Try talking to her while we’re eating. She’ll be calm by then."
Aramith exhaled slowly, his fingers tapping once against the table.
"You have a lot to explain," he said, his voice even, though his mind churned.
"You’ll understand soon enough," Lynnor murmured, leaning back as if he had all the ti in the world.
Aramith’s jaw tightened. That wasn’t an answer.
Mozrael could also feel his discomfort.
And through all this, not once did they think of ho.
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