With all that chaos in her mind, 'helping' Ivan had been the perfect distraction.
Juliana took another slow drag from her cigarette, then flicked the ash over the balcony rail.
Below, the city lights shimmered like stars tangled in a net, and beyond the floating islands, the endless sea of clouds glowed faintly beneath the moonlight.
Ivan had gone quiet. Probably sulking. Or pretending to sulk.
He was an annoying little mutt. But lately, Juliana had started to find his presence… oddly tolerable.
Gods, she must really be losing it.
No, but really, he was one of the few people she didn't actively want to stab to death. No usually, at least.
He was like a pet dog. Or maybe a kitten.
And slowly molding him into something useful — shaping him however she wished — had started to become mildly entertaining.
He wasn't as much of a nervous wreck as before.
He didn't stammer while speaking anymore either.
