Leroy and Aralyn parted at last. The emotions hadn't faded, but the tears had. Happy tears had a way of drying, leaving warmth in their wake.
Leroy held her shoulders gently, his smile soft and radiant. "Anything you need, you can ask. My wife will see to it. And if she's occupied, Aldric will handle it," he said.
Aralyn smiled, her fingers brushing lightly over his arm as though to convince herself he was real. "I have everything I want right here," she murmured.
Leroy's smile lingered, but only for a heartbeat. Then it thinned, his eyes steadying with quiet resolve. Though his expression remained kind, his voice lowered, firm and deliberate, the way a man of power spoke when he meant every word.
"My previous statement stands," he said. "In this house, my wife will not be disrespected. Not even by you. She runs this household as she pleases. If you disagree, I ask you to keep it to yourself."
