"Lady Evergreen. I don't believe we've had the pleasure of meeting yet."
Maya turned toward him, her expression momentarily surprised before she composed herself. Her blue eyes flicked up to meet his gaze, and Zharokath could sense the faint tension in her posture.
"Mr. Vayne," she replied softly, clearly aware of who he was. Her voice was calm, but there was an underlying thread of nervousness she couldn't quite hide.
Zharokath offered a polite nod to the others in the group before focusing his attention entirely on Maya, his smile never wavering. "It is truly an honor to meet a member of the esteemed Evergreen family. Your reputation precedes you."
Maya blinked, a slight 'blush' creeping into her cheeks at the compliment.
She glanced briefly at Astron, who stood silently a step behind her, his watchful gaze never leaving Zharokath. But Zharokath wasn't concerned about him—not yet, at least.
Why would he be?
