The warmth of their shared conversation seemed to shrink the grand library down to the small, sun-drenched world of their table. Caira's hands fluttered through the air as she spoke about the book in detail, her smiles a bit too wide.
She knew it, but she couldn't help it. His presence had that much effect on her. He made it too easy for her to just be herself as he listened attentively, his gaze never straying from her face, asking thoughtful questions where needed that only fueled Caira's tale.
This was best. She felt happier when he was next to her. From the moment he stepped into the library, she could feel the tension in her chest dissipate. She didn't want him away from her.
He was the antidote to the cold neglect of her marriage, to the humiliation of knowing another woman warmed her husband's bed while she lay alone in hers.
