"I'm sorry."
Victor's expression didn't change at first. Then the corner of his mouth tilted, a flicker of warmth threaded through it.
"You're allowed to be angry," he murmured, voice low and steady. "Let's have an understanding before we get out of the room."
Elias's brows drew together, but he didn't look away. The quiet weight of Victor's tone settled over him, and despite everything still coiled in his chest, he stayed in his seat, waiting.
Victor rested his forearms on the table, fingers lacing loosely together. The faint shimmer of ether along his skin had dulled now, less a warning and more a low, steady pulse, like a heartbeat finally slowing after a fight.
