"OH, I'M FURIOUS."
She turned to face him, and he could see it now—the fear and anger carefully controlled behind her calm exterior. "I'm furious that we can't just have consecutive normal days. That every time things feel even slightly stable, something happens."
She crossed back to him, meeting his eyes.
"But I'm not furious at you. You're trying to keep me safe. And yes, it's frustrating, but—" She paused. "But you came back. You kept your promise."
Grayson's jaw tightened. He didn't want her gratitude for something so basic. Didn't want her reading meanings into tactical decisions.
"So yes," she continued. "I'll stay in warded rooms. Follow protocols. But Grayson? Stop pretending this is just tactical."
"It is tactical."
"You came back when you didn't have to."
"I said I would."
"Exactly." She moved closer, her hand reaching for his face.
He caught her wrist before she could touch him, his grip firm but not painful. "Don't."
"Don't what?"
