Windsor's POV
Zion and I settled onto the expansive leather sofa facing Scarlett, our thighs touching as we positioned ourselves. He had already unwrapped a piece of candy, savoring it before peeling another wrapper and gently placing the sweet between my lips.
Scarlett Spirit remained motionless at first. She reclined in her chair, studying us with calculating eyes that moved deliberately from Zion to me and back again. The quiet stretched uncomfortably, punctuated only by the soft sounds of our chewing.
At last, her eyes sharpened into focus. "Young man," she said, shattering the stillness. "Do you genuinely desire to become Praetor? Or are you simply following Windsor's guidance?"
Zion nearly choked on his candy, sputtering before turning to me with startled eyes. I pressed my hand against my mouth to suppress my laughter, teeth catching my bottom lip.
Scarlett's face remained stone-cold serious.
