Asher walked through the quiet upper halls of the Magnus estate. His steps were steady, and the red carpet under his boots made no sound. It wasn't late, but the hallway leading to Selene's room felt strangely quiet, like a place no one went unless they had to.
He stopped at the door.
This hallway had been the same since he was a boy. Back then, he would walk past it and never dare to knock. She never called for him. She never opened the door. And he never tried.
Until now.
He raised his hand and knocked.
After a few seconds, he heard her voice. Calm and even. "Come in."
He opened the door and stepped inside.
The room was large but simple. It was neat, well-kept, with nothing flashy. Selene stood near the window, her long dark-silver hair tied back. She wore a plain crimson robe. Her back was straight. She didn't turn around right away.
When she finally did, her eyes met his. Cold, calm, and unreadable.
"You came," she said.
