Embers and Edict

iced it. He sat behind his massive mahogany desk, eyes scanning the final page of a c

r creak

with his usual confidence. "We closed the case. Va

ly looked up.

od. Just cold

im. Something about Nathan

or just a moment, he wasn't thinking about the case. He was thinking about home. Abou

own de

ng his jacket and pic

n my house by no

ised a bro

. "I'm going home. Time

o dinner, or is it just you two s

"You're welcome-only if you don't chok

ow whistle. "Har

-

The air changed the moment they walked in-cool, still, and quiet e

ianca emerged from the kitchen, her chef's

them but quickly moved to set the

been a while. How are you? How's the plac

answer, Nathaniel

perfect. I'm sure she's fine. No need to fuss o

placing the food before them. If s

a single bite. His expression didn't shift, but

Bianca-this is incredible. I knew you were the rig

s fork down. "It

le faltered-

btle, knowing nod and a small smile of reass

ck and folded her han

me had

-

ne of it came from Nathaniel. He was done eating, sitting back in his ch

rom his plate. "I'm telling you, Nathaniel, she's

committal grunt. "Yo

ar the plates, careful not to

el's plate when his voice cut

s to cook,

, eyes me

t harsh, but with that same cold finali

y set the pl

d," she sa

an eyebrow, b

ently appeared to take over. She clasped he

art at seven sharp tomorrow. Breakfast, lunch, dinner-unl

s,

ianca, welcome again. Don't let this one scare you too much."

t, though something f

ine said warmly before dis

re for a moment longer, staring at Bianca lik

was... t

rned and left, his footst

et out a

er a small, supportive smile. "Don't mind

ed herself a

Mrs. Miller said.

erent eyes. Beneath the grandeur and coldness, something el

dn't tel