The words came from him low and smooth, but there was a glint in his eyes that told me he was already shifting from soft gratitude to something far more playful. He leaned back slightly, a slow, knowing smile tugging at the corner of his mouth—no trace of weakness, only the quiet power and sharp wit that always made my heart race.
"And you know what?" he said, his tone turning warm but teasing, as if he'd been waiting for the perfect moment to bring it up. "We certainly don't need a crowd to celebrate… especially not after everything you confessed to me earlier, hmm? To think my fierce, guarded Seraphina finally let her heart speak so plainly. I'll admit—I've been waiting to hear those words for far longer than you realize."
