The suite felt different once the door slid shut behind them.
The lights had been dimmed to a soft amber glow. Alexandra moved quietly, setting two mugs on the low table before guiding Alice toward the couch piled high with spare blankets. Outside, the mountain winds whispered against reinforced walls, but in here, there was only warmth, steam, and the faint scent of cocoa slowly blooming through the air.
Alice climbed onto the couch without ceremony, pulling her legs up and hugging them to her chest as if the cushions themselves were a safe haven. She accepted the mug with both hands, careful despite her strength, and took a small sip.
Her reaction was immediate.
Her face twisted, lips puckering as if she'd bitten into something profoundly offensive. "So sour…" she muttered, staring accusingly into the cup.
