She filed it away. Not her problem. She was just here to fix wards.
When she reached the transport chamber, Dante was already there. He stood with his back to the entrance, studying reports a death knight delivered in hushed tones. Formal attire. Long sleeves covering every inch of skin.
His shadows writhed around his feet, more agitated than she'd ever seen them.
He dismissed the knight and turned.
She faltered mid-step.
He looked terrible. Shadows beneath his eyes. Jaw tight enough to crack. He looked like a battle fought and lost all night.
For one treacherous moment, she wanted to go to him. Ask if he was alright. Bridge the distance between them.
Then she remembered his voice, flat and final:Nothing happening between us.
She put her walls back up.
"Lord Reaper," she said, and watched him flinch at the formal address. He'd earned it.
His shadows reached toward her instantly, fighting his control, desperate to close the distance he wouldn't cross.
Nothing between them, he'd said. While his power betrayed him with every breath.
She ignored it.
“Thief.” His voice was neutral, but she caught the slight roughness. The way his eyes searched her face before he shuttered his expression.
"You required my presence. I'm present." She kept her voice level. Gave him nothing.
Something flickered in his eyes. Hurt, maybe. Or frustration. A muscle ticked in his cheek.
Now he knew how it felt.
"The Mourned Court awaits," he said after a pause. "Reportssuggest Caelum's domain remains stable despite the ward failures. We should be able to conduct a thorough investigation."
"Then let's go." She stepped into the transport circle's outer ring without waiting for him, positioning herself as far from him as the space allowed.
He joined her after a moment, and she felt his gaze on her. She kept her eyes forward.
“About last night—” he started, voice low.
"Is there something about the investigation you need to discuss?" she cut him off, keeping her voice calm and distant, exactly like him.
His shadows surged toward her feet. She felt the cool brush of them against her ankle and stepped away.
His shoulders stiffened.
"No," he said finally. "Nothing."
"Then we should proceed."
His shadows spread around both their feet, creating the boundary for transport. He stood close enough that she could feel the hum of power rolling from him.
Her own body wanted to sway toward him. She stayed still.
He'd wanted distance. Here it was.
As power built around them, she kept her gaze fixed straight ahead. But she felt his eyes on her the whole time. Felt his shadows pressing against her ankles like they were begging for contact that his hands wouldn't allow.
