After the full day spent together, they withdrew for a late afternoon tea and snacks.
Somewhere in the castle, a clock struck five pm. Or perhaps it was later than this. Iva had lost track of time entirely.
All she knew was Caleb's eyes on her.
He had been watching her for minutes now. As she ate. As she drank. As she stared around and tried to process everything that had happened.
But the food was gone now. The tea was cold. And the silence between them had shifted into something else. Something charged.
Caleb rose from his chair.
He moved slowly, deliberately, like a predator who had already decided the hunt was over. He circled the table and stopped in front of her, looking down at where she sat.
"Stand up," he said quietly.
It wasn't a command. Not quite. It was an invitation.
