The moment the car door closed, the outside world felt far away being muted, softened, irrelevant to Riana. She smiled feeling Raphael’s lips on her cheeks. He started the engine, the soft hum filling the space as he glanced at Riana with a smirk tugging at his lips.
“You know,” he began, his voice low and warm, “you were breathtaking today.”
Riana blinked. “At the council meeting?”
“Everywhere,” he corrected without hesitation. “But yes, the meeting especially. I’ve never seen you command a room that effortlessly. Pure brilliance, grace, and fire. You made half the council shrink in their seats.”
Riana’s cheeks warmed. She sank into her seat and looked out the window to hide her blush. “You’re exaggerating.”
“I’m not,” Raphael said, eyes still on her as he drove. “You mad
