"You can go to town with Nieah," Ragnar said, his voice leveled but still carrying that unmistakable weight of authority. "But only on one condition."
Circe's hand froze on the doorknob. Slowly, she turned to face him fully, her brows drawing together in wary curiosity. "And what would that be?"
He took a moment to truly study her now, as it felt like he had not been able to properly get a good look at her since she came into his study.
He noted her guarded stance, the flicker of defiance in her gaze, the subtle impatience in the way her fingers tapped against her thigh. Even though her expression remained carefully unreadable, he still caught the faintest trace of uncertainty glinting in her eyes.
"You can go with Nieah," he said at last, "only if I accompany the two of you."
For a heartbeat, Circe simply stared at him, as though trying to decide whether she had heard correctly.
