"Ezra?" Helios asked quietly, his smile fading just a fraction, carefully enough to resemble concern to anyone watching.
But in reality—
He was pleased.
Very pleased.
Because right in front of him, Ezra's nape was beginning to flush red beneath the collar of his uniform.
Slowly.
Heat is creeping across pale skin, little by little.
And even better—
Helios could already see the faint sheen of sweat gathering.
"You went quiet all of a sudden. Are you alright?" Helios continued softly, his hand still resting firmly against Ezra's shoulder.
'So far so good.'
Helios kept his expression calm despite the satisfaction curling inside his chest.
Everything was progressing exactly the way he needed it to.
Helios was one of the strongest among all of Samson De Luxaelian Sunthyr's many, many children.
At least—
That was what everyone believed.
Samson knew all his children's gifts.
It was one of his strictest rules.
