"So…?" he asked, still waiting patiently.
She blinked at him, then smiled. A real one this time. Soft around the edges.
"Fine. I'll have the usual. Soup, meat, and throw in some mushrooms."
He nodded, satisfied.
She hesitated a second, then added in a quieter voice, "Thank you."
That caught him off guard.
Cyrus looked at her with those deep, unreadable eyes, but his smile only deepened. It wasn't the usual reserved grin he gave others—it was something softer, more content. The kind of smile that curled at the corners like warm steam on a winter day.
Isabella gave him one more glance, then turned, pushing aside the hide curtain to her hut.
Inside, the space welcomed her like a sigh. Simple, familiar. Cool shadows stretched across the fur hides, and the scent of dried herbs lingered in the air.
