He laughed then. It was a sound that never failed to catch her off guard. For all his severity around others, Ragnar's laughter was deep and rich, the kind that easily filled the space between them without feeling heavy.
"Come," he said finally, gesturing for her to follow him. "Let's find something worthy of the great Circe Valdris. I'd rather you not injure half the household before breakfast."
She shot him a look but followed nonetheless, a reluctant smile tugging at her lips as she did.
"You know," she said as they walked, "if you keep acting this agreeable, I might start to think you actually enjoy my company."
Ragnar glanced sideways at her. "Who says I don't?"
That made her pause mid-step.
He kept walking, the faintest smirk playing on his lips, knowing that he had successfully left her stunned.
And for the first time that morning, Circe found herself at a loss for words.
Snapping out of it, she finally caught up to him, and they walked inside together.
