He ended the call with a faint click and stayed still for a moment, listening to the hum of the line as if it could somehow hold Dax's presence a little longer. The palace felt lighter afterward, or maybe he just did.
It wasn't much, just a voice half buried in fatigue and a few careless words that sounded too much like affection, but it was enough. Dax had called and told him why he had to leave. For Christopher, who had spent the last week arguing with his own nerves, that was a victory.
When he came down to the dining room, Nadia was already there, setting the table herself despite the staff's protests. She gave him the once-over that served as her version of affection: a slow examination of his posture, skin, and appetite.
"You look better," she said, tone flat but eyes softer. "You're even walking like someone who slept."
"I did," Chris replied, tugging at his sleeves. "And before you ask, yes, I plan to eat something solid, without threats or bribes."
