"Do you have any plans for today, Regent?" Nico asked in a low rumble.
Mara blinked, slightly thrown by the sudden, domestic cadence of the question. "Plans?"
She genuinely didn't know how to answer that. Every single day since her wedding night had been structured around survival. Her schedules were dictated by threats, alliances, and calculating her next move to avoid being killed or dethroned.
Nico watched her face as her mind worked through the question, his dark eyes softening as he realised what she was discovering: she had nothing in particular.
There was no tribunal to prepare for. No Council session to survive. No manoeuvre from Bruno to urgently counter.
For the first time in months, the chess board was entirely quiet.
"Get dressed," Nico said, rolling out of bed with a fluid grace. "Something comfortable. Not the Regent wardrobe."
Mara pushed herself up on her elbows, watching the muscles in his back shift as he stood. "Where are we going?"
"Out."
