Elena’s POVOnce the work in the north finally settled into a steady rhythm, my relationship with Riven began to change as well, quietly, over long and ordinary days.There was no sudden confession, no dependence born of emotional collapse.We stood side by side at negotiation tables, confirming the next steps together, and somewhere along the way, closeness became natural.He often completed a judgment before I finished voicing it.I, in turn, grew used to glancing at him before making a decision.One night, in my study, we had been discussing the terms of a partnership as usual.Our eyes met without intention, and silence settled between us.With the instincts vampires are born with, we both understood it clearly.We were drawn to each other.Riven suddenly asked, “What was the place you grew up in like?”His tone was calm and direct.He never circled around a thought, never picked up the affectations common to vampire nobility.That straightforwardness always put me at ease.I thoug
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