They both walked back toward Soren's chambers through palace halls still echoing with council session chaos. Nobles scattered like leaves before winter wind, whispers following in their wake… speculation, fear, calculation about what had just transpired.
Eris took one step. Then another. Her legs trembled from exhaustion barely noticeable to anyone watching, but Soren noticed everything.
He saw the little tremor in her knee, the slight hitch in her breathing, the way her hand pressed almost imperceptibly against the wall for balance she'd never admit needing.
The moment they stepped from council chamber into corridor, he swept her up into his arms without warning.
"Soren!" Eris protested immediately, voice sharp despite fatigue. "Put me down. I can walk."
