Page 166 of The Moonborn's Curse

He stepped out a couple of hours later - just slipped away without a word.

Seren noticed immediately. The quiet absence of his gaze. The way the air didn't hum on her skin. Her eyes kept darting to the doorway against her will.

And then - he was back.

She barely had time to school her expression before he crossed the room, wordless and determined. He reached for her hand - his touch warm sparks swirling between their skin - and pulled her gently to his table in the corner.

Without a word, he sat her down and laid out the food in front of her.

The foil packet was still warm, the steam curling from the thermos lid. Spices she knew before tasting. Comfort she hadn't asked for. Care she didn't know what to do with.

He didn't speak.

He watched her as she brought the food to her mouth-silent, steady.

His gaze didn't waver.

Not even once.

There was something almost reverent in the way he tracked her movements, like every bite she took carved into his memory. Like he hadn't seen her eat in years and needed to catalogue every lift of her fingers, every chew, every flick of her tongue against her lips.

But it was more than that.

His gaze was hungry.

Not for the food.

For her.

Raw and scorching, like he wanted to devour her whole. Like the act of watching her eat was the only thing keeping him anchored.

Seren felt the heat rise in her cheeks, and her breath hitched slightly around the next bite. Her fingers trembled just a little, not from fear - but from the intensity in his eyes.

He looked like a man starving.

At a weak moment, she didn't know whether to run...

Or open the cage.

With impeccable timing, Ana leaned in as she passed, stage-whispering toward Seren, "He brought lunch and glutes like that? Girl, you sure you don't want me to take him for a test drive first?"

Hagan blinked, startled. Seren nearly choked on her food.

When she finally finished for the day, he followed her home. But when they reached the building, she turned and stared him down.

"No."

"Seren-"

"No."

She opened the door, stepped inside, and looked at Threk.

"Don't let him in."

Threk just raised a hand. "Wasn't planning to."

Hagan remained outside.

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