When I finally unlocked the door to my apartment, I felt like I had gone ten rounds with Rurik. My hair was escaping its bun, my dress had an ink stain on the hem (Ellia's doing), and my soul felt heavy.
I walked into the living room, expecting chaos.
Instead, I found peace.
Prince Orion was sitting on the floor, surrounded by blocks. He was building a structure that looked suspiciously like the Royal Palace of the Deep.
Caspian was sitting on the loveseat, watching him. He had found one of my old books—Architectural Digest: 100 Best Castles—and was reading it with intense focus. He looked ridiculously domestic in his black trousers and a loose white shirt I had borrowed from Rurik (which was still tight on his shoulders).
"Angle of support is insufficient," Caspian murmured, pointing at Orion's tower. "The load-bearing wall needs reinforcement."
"But Papa," Orion argued, placing a red block. "Triangles are the strongest shape!"
