Nevara
Lunch was quiet after the flowers.
Michelle hummed her way through the meal like she hadn’t just dropped a meadow’s worth of blossoms onto the table. Thoren barely looked at his food, clearly itching to return to whatever kingly nonsense was waiting on his desk. I just tried to chew and swallow without wincing from my bruised ribs.
When the last bite was gone, Thoren leaned over slightly. “I’ve got some work to do, but let me walk you back to your room.”
“Good,” I murmured, pushing to my feet. “After this morning’s run and combat testing, I need a nap, a heating pad, and probably a new skeleton.”
He chuckled and touched my back lightly, steering me toward the hallway. I didn’t flinch—but I didn’t melt into him either. Not yet.
“I think I’ll read a bit,” I added as we turned th
