~LENORA'S POV
Sneaking into Zade's wing had begun to feel necessary, which was perhaps the most unsettling part of all, because this was already my fourth time in two weeks and I hated that I was keeping track.
The hidden passages no longer felt like secrets. They had become routine, another risk folded into my days, another line I had already crossed too many times to pretend innocence now.
My palm pressed against the cool stone as I stepped out from behind the sliding panel near Zade's chambers. I brushed dust from my sleeve and straightened, listening carefully before knocking twice.
The door swung open almost immediately.
Zade stood there, adjusting the rings on his fingers. His silver hair caught the light from the corridor, and his eyes flicked over me in quick assessment before amusement settled in.
"If you keep using that passage," he said, leaning one shoulder against the frame, "I'm going to start charging you rent."
I exhaled softly. "You would charge me?"
