Miri's Pov
Caius had a look in his eyes.
It was new—his shoulders were too still, his jaw too tight, and his eyes kept flicking toward the woman approaching. His mother.
I'd imagined her a certain way. Sharp. Severe. The sort of woman who would wear military authority like armor, a presence that carried the weight of command in every word and step. Instead, she was beautiful in a soft, deliberate way—elegant silk instead of steel. Her hair was perfectly styled, her jewelry understated but expensive, and her smile was polished enough to belong on the front page of a society magazine.
From a distance, she seemed warm. I saw her laugh lightly at something Caius said, reaching up to pat his arm with fondness. It didn't fit the tension I'd felt coming off him. Maybe I was reading too much into it.
"Doesn't seem bad," I murmured to Riven from where we were watching, after excusing them.
