The Countermove

Seraphine did not flinch.

She did not glance toward the hooded man again. She did not run.

Instead, she turned to Kaelith with a soft smile. "It is a beautiful day, husband. Walk with me."

Kaelith's expression did not change, but she knew him well enough to see the tension in his shoulders. She was not behaving as he expected.

Good.

She slipped her arm through his, guiding him deeper into the market. Past merchants, past nobles, past the hooded man who—she was sure—was watching just as intently as Kaelith.

Seraphine did nothing. No signals, no glances, no hesitation.

She could feel Kaelith studying her, waiting for a reaction. And she gave him nothing.

Shifting the Balance

"I had not expected you to change your mind about this outing," she said casually, examining a table of silk. "It was a kind gesture."

Kaelith's voice was smooth, unreadable. "You seemed eager to stretch your wings."

She let out a soft laugh. "And I suppose you are the benevolent keeper of my cage?"

Kaelith tilted his head, amusement flickering in his dark eyes. "That depends. Will you try to fly away?"

Seraphine picked up a length of deep red fabric, running it between her fingers. "Why would I?" She turned to him, her gaze warm. "You are my husband, my protector. I have nothing to fear."

A bold statement. A direct challenge.

Kaelith held her gaze for a long moment before smirking. She had turned the game on him.

If he accused her now, with no proof, he would be the one who looked paranoid. The one who had miscalculated.

Seraphine set the silk down gracefully and offered her hand. "Shall we continue, my lord?"

Kaelith took it without hesitation, but she felt the light pressure of his fingers—a silent warning.

This is not over.

But Seraphine only smiled.

No. But it was her move now.

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