Later, after Livia had left, the house settled into a quiet calm. Mira was stretched out on the couch, a book resting in her hands, reading with a slow, deliberate focus, completely absorbed. One leg folded beneath her, the other dangling over the edge. She was so immersed she barely noticed the world around her.
Cassian noticed.
He paused for a moment, watching her, a faint smile tugging at his lips, then moved toward her quietly—each step deliberate, almost teasing.
"Boo."
"Oh, mother—!" Mira jerked upright, clutching the book to her chest. "You, Draymond!!"
Cassian laughed, unrestrained this time, a loud, rolling sound that seemed to shake the room. He bent forward slightly, clutching his stomach as he laughed, letting himself be completely undone by the moment.
"Look at your face," he said between breaths, still chuckling. "I swear, that was perfect."
