The Dinner with the Marshal

Kade froze for a moment, clearly caught off guard by Ren's words. The playful grin slipped from his lips; his gaze focused intently on the silver head.

"What did you say?"

Ren felt the weight of Kade's gaze on him, and for the first time since waking up from his nightmare, his heart fluttered in a different way.

He swallowed, feeling an unfamiliar wave of nervousness creeping in the pit of his stomach, and tightening around his chest. His fingers gripped the edge of the table, knuckles turning white as he tried to steady himself.

Ren had always been the type to follow his heart, guided by instinct more than caution. When he liked something, he poured himself into it entirely, learning every detail, every nuance to worry for later.

But if he didn't like something, no force in the world could sway him. That was just the way he was.