Raya stepped into the study of her father, well, Seraphina's father's study, her heels clicking softly against the marble floor. A warm smile was already fixed on her face, her posture poised the way Seraphina would carry herself.
"Sera Darling!" a deep voice called. Raya turned to find Hector Hart, Seraphina's father walking toward her with open arms.
"Dad," she greeted with practiced ease, allowing herself to be pulled into a light embrace.
Hector patted her shoulder with a hearty laugh. "You've been a stranger lately, haven't you? Adrian must be keeping you all to himself."
Raya gave a breathy laugh. "He does have a way of keeping people busy."
Hector grinned. "Well, I hope he's not being too much of a bastard. You always know how to handle him better than the rest of us."
"I only try, you know" Raya said, keeping her smile steady, though her heart thudded against her ribs.
