The silence between them was shattered by a sharp knock echoing down the stone passage.
"My lord," the butler's voice called from a nearby corridor, clipped and urgent. "Forgive me for disturbing, but a messenger has arrived. It is from the castle—urgent matters."
Kael's body went rigid, his hands still braced on either side of Nerine, his gaze fixed on her as though the interruption had pulled him back from a dangerous edge. For a long breath, he did not move. Then, with a slow exhale, he released her, stepping back as though reluctant to let go.
He leaned closer, his words a low murmur only she could hear. "I'll come back to you."
Before she could answer, he was already striding toward the butler, his presence vanishing into the dim corridor.
