Rowen came to a halt at the stone steps just as the carriage rattled to a stop. A wide, unrestrained smile spread across his face the moment Circe's foot touched the ground. A single week apart had felt far longer than it should have, and the ache of her absence had settled deeply in him. He did not even wait for her to reach the manor's entrance. Instead, he rushed forward with his arms flung wide.
He collided with her and wrapped his arms around her in a fierce, unrestrained embrace. Around them, servants hurried to unload trunks from the carriage.
"You said the event was only going to be for three days, but you were gone for seven!" he complained, tightening his grip as though afraid she might vanish again if he let go.
Circe chuckled softly, her arms immediately circling his smaller body as she returned the embrace without hesitation.
