“Arwen,” Ryan’s voice was gentle as they finished dinner in the family room. “Would you take a walk with me tonight? The air is calm, and the moon looks beautiful from the backyard.”
Arwen, tidying up the crumbs of bread on her plate, looked up, startled by the invitation. “Isn’t it too cold? The snow’s been falling since the afternoon.”
Ryan smiled, his gaze softening. “Don’t worry, your coat is warm enough. And I promise, the view will be worth the chill.”
Hesitation flickered across Arwen’s mind, but curiosity proved more decisive. She finally nodded slowly. “All right, I’ll go.”
They stepped out of the mansion. Their breath frosted instantly in the air, mixing with the scent of pine heavy with dew.
A thin layer of snow covered the ground, reflecting the glow of the full moon hangi
