“No. And I learned quick not to ask.”
He shifted on the carpet.
“After the Bloodforge, he kept moving. Wouldn’t stay anywhere long.”
He tossed the dice once more.
“Then one day he simply decided to settle down.”
Evander’s grin sharpened, a glint of mischief in his eyes.
“Wonder what changed his mind.”
Viktor’s mouth curved as he glanced between them.
“I’d say it was Gabriel’s six-foot Draekenran mother.”
Evander burst out laughing.
Gabriel did not.
The curtain at the back of the room stirred.
Amerei stepped out, wrapped in the satin robe Viktor had glimpsed the night before. Water clung to her braid like threads of silver, the familiar scent of lavender lingering on her robe. He found himself stilling, breathing her in without conscious thought.
She moved with quiet grace to the rug and folded to sit across from him, the hem of her robe brushing his knee as she settled.
Evander broke the silence.
“What about your father, Viktor?”
He dragged his eyes from her.
“He worked the docks of Westport all his life,” he said. “Taught me every knot there is, every way to bind a ship. But this—”
He lifted his hand. Flame flickered across his fingers, light catching in Amerei’s eyes before he closed his fist.
The hush that followed felt heavier than canvas walls could hold.
He held her gaze for a beat too long—long enough to know he would answer whatever she asked.
Her voice softened the air.
“How long have you and Captain Feindoran known each other?”
Viktor huffed a laugh, eyes flicking once to Gabriel.
“We met at enlistment,” he said. “Didn’t cause much trouble until captain’s school in Irongate. Aerdania sends soldiers to the elves for training now. Used to be Casqadia.” His voice dropped to a murmur. “Too much has changed.”
Evander shifted, turning to Gabriel.
“Your father’s gone too, isn’t he?”
Gabriel’s jaw tightened.
“A little over a year. Left me in charge of my mother and sisters in Vykenra.”
His mouth lifted at the corner.
