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The boy looked at me proudly. “Daddy says matching is boring.”
Sorcha closed her eyes. “Of course, he does.”
“Mummy!”
“What?” she calls in irritation.
I finally laughed. It felt good. For thirty seconds, maybe. Then heavy footsteps sounded outside. Every woman in the room froze, my heart jumped and then the door opened. Roman walked in. Disappointment hit me first, not Viking.
Then concern, because Roman looked like shit. He was still dressed in black; sleeves rolled to his elbows. His hair was disordered, and exhaustion sat heavily around his eyes.
Layla stood immediately. “Roman.” His entire face changed when he saw her. There it was. That Dragic thing where the world disappeared. Roman crossed the room and took Layla's face between both hands. He kissed her forehead. Then her mouth. Then immediately reached down when his son ran toward him.
“Daddy!”
He lifted him effortlessly, the boy immediately wrapped himself around him. “You're here!”
“For a little while.”
Layla stiffened. “A little while?”
Roman's eyes met hers. “I need to go back to the communications room.”
“Where are they?”
He knew exactly who she meant.
“Working.”
Sorcha stood. “Roman?”
“They're fine.”
“That's not an answer.”
“It is the answer I have.”
Runa carefully handed her sleeping child to one of the nannies.
“Are they hurt?”
“No.”
The relief in the room was immediate. Mine included. I released a breath I hadn't realized I'd been holding.
“Viking?” I asked.
Roman looked at me. “He's fine, Bryn.” Something in his expression bothered me.
“You're sure?”
“Yes.”
“Then why aren't they home?”
Silence. Roman lowered his son carefully. “Go with Kaisha for a minute, son.”
“But…”
