"I love you," he whispered.
Salviana's heart did a slow, dizzying roll in her chest, but she caught herself, a playful light dancing in her emerald eyes as she tucked a lock of his dark hair behind his ear.
"Yes, yes, I know," she teased, her voice light and melodic. She leaned back, offering him a radiant, cheeky smile that cut through the morning's heavy solemnity. "Now, up you get, Fire Prince. Let us go down for a proper human breakfast. We are joining the family this morning."
The tender expression on Alaric's face vanished instantly. He blinked rapidly, his dark brows knitting together into a deep, characteristic scowl. "What? Why in the Seven Hells would we do that?"
"Because we were invited," she said, smoothing out the rumpled silk of her gown. "Prince Embrez visited yesterday specifically to extend the offer. That was the real reason for his... theatrical arrival."
