Emerald lay on her back, the sheets tangled loosely around her legs. Ares' arm was draped across her stomach, his skin warm against hers.
For a while, neither of them spoke.
Then she turned her head, studying his sharp profile. "Seriously, though… do you have any news?"
He gave her a sidelong glance. "About?"
"You know what I mean. You've got ears everywhere," she pressed, narrowing her gaze. "Don't tell me you haven't heard anything worth mentioning."
For a heartbeat, his expression didn't change, but she saw it. The faint sharpening of his gaze, a subtle awareness flickering there.
Still, his voice stayed casual. "Nothing worth your time. Adrien seems… happy with his new bride."
Emerald didn't show any reaction on the outside, but inside, her stomach felt tight and anxious. She thought about the word "happy" and how it weighed heavily on her, like a heavy stone in her chest. She didn't welcome that feeling.
