The tea had long gone lukewarm by the time the meeting wound down. Loric leaned back in his chair, silver hair catching the lantern light as he exhaled a slow breath that sounded more like a chuckle.
"So," Loric said at last, breaking the quiet. "Shall we call this business concluded for now?"
Nikolai smirked and rose from his seat, stretching his shoulders with a lazy pop. "For now."
Vernan grunted from his place near the door, arms crossed, the gouges in his neck and collarbone already closing. "Need an escort back to your rooms? Or maybe some… protection?" His deep voice rumbled with a jovial hint.
Nikolai gave him a flat stare. "I just broke your spine and pinned you like a cub."
The great bear snorted, but hummed with a smile. "Still. You're a guest in Silver Mansion tonight."
