Raya looked toward the doorway.
Grigor stood there with his usual calm expression, one hand resting lightly against the frame as if he had been standing in the hall longer than he wanted to admit. The late afternoon light from the tall windows caught the sharp line of his jaw and the quiet concern that never quite left his eyes.
"May I come in?" Grigor asked.
Raya smiled faintly, the corners of her mouth lifting with the smallest trace of amusement. "Since when do you ask for permission?"
Grigor raised an eyebrow, the familiar gesture carrying a dry edge. "Since you nearly gave everyone in this mansion a heart attack."
A small laugh escaped her, soft and slightly breathless. The sound seemed to ease something in the room. "Come in."
Grigor stepped inside and quietly closed the door behind him. The latch clicked with a soft finality. For a few seconds neither of them spoke. He looked at her.
Really looked at her.
