"Incoming," Andrion muttered.
Sarojina's fingers tightened around her napkin. Her expression didn't change, but Milan saw the calculation begin — the rapid, silent assessment of threat, context, and available exits that was his mother's particular genius.
"Don't," she said softly to Jolthar.
"Don't what?"
"Whatever you're about to do. Don't."
"I haven't done anything."
"You're thinking about it. I can tell. You get this look — this stillness — like a cat before it knocks something off a shelf. I raised two boys. I know the look."
Jolthar's mouth twitched.
-
Kael Suryanath arrived at their table.
He did not bow. He did not greet Lady Sarojina. He did not acknowledge Milan, Andrion, or Malyani.
He looked directly at Jolthar, and his smile was the kind that men practice in mirrors — confident, slightly pitying, designed to communicate superiority without stating it explicitly.
"Count Kaezhlar," he said.
