Lyanna felt the heat radiating from Cedric's skin, a physical reminder of just how close he was. Deep inside, a wave of panic threatened to pull her under, but she forced herself to look directly at him. She studied his face, cataloging the subtle curve of his lips and the unmistakable glint of amusement dancing in his eyes. The realization hit her like a sudden splash of cold water. He was playing with her. He knew exactly what he was doing, and he was deliberately leaning into her discomfort to see how she would react.
Once she recognized the game, the tight knot of fear in her chest loosened just a fraction. If he was only teasing, then she didn't have to be the defenseless victim of his mind games. She could play along too. Gathering every single ounce of her courage, she smoothed out her expression, forced her racing pulse to steady, and adopted a tone that mirrored his own lazy provocation.
