"She's nice," Salviana answered about Jean, still a little breathless from the closeness. "Very serious about her duties."
"Good," he murmured, his tone distracted as his hand slid down to entwine with hers. His touch was absent-minded yet comforting, as if holding her was second nature.
The warmth between them grew, and Salviana found herself leaning into him, her earlier nerves melting away. Outside, the soft breeze of the morning rustled the trees, mingling with their quiet laughter and teasing remarks.
For a moment, the weight of the world faded, leaving just the two of them in their private bubble.
Until their chambers door got knocked on and Alaric sat straighter, Salviana glanced at him making her lips brush his cheekbone, they froze at the same time.
The sound he'd heard was forgotten as he turned his head slowly to meet her eyes, her green gazed in shaking anxiety before she leaned in and kissed his other cheekbone.
