As soon as the question formed clearly in Cain's mind—
Can she read my thoughts—
Cornelia's pupils shrank.
It was just a single move. So subtle that no one else in the hall would have noticed. Her lips did not move. Her breathing did not change. She even tilted her head slightly, as if confused by the lingering excitement in the room.
But Cain saw it.
He saw the small tremor in her eyelashes. The faint tightening of her fingers at her side. The way her gaze held his just a heartbeat too long before she forced it to soften.
She is startled.
She tried to mask it. She even smiled faintly, as though still basking in the clan's admiration. "Why are you looking at me like that?" she asked lightly, her voice smooth. "Did I scare you?"
Cain did not answer.
For a long time he didn't.
He was just staring at her.
Suddenly, he slowly spread his arms outward.
The motion was lazy. Casual. Almost theatrical.
