Calm Before the Storm

Daniel’s thoughts were a scrambled mess as he watched Jia in the garden.

She was kneeling beside Lucas, helping him fit puzzle pieces into a sprawling cardboard volcano, her long hair cascading over one shoulder, the sunlight catching the faint smile on her lips. That same unnerving smile.

Too calm. Too knowing.

He couldn’t take it anymore.

Crossing the garden with forced casualness, he shoved his hands in his pockets and cleared his throat as he approached.

Jia looked up slowly, one brow arched in amusement.

“Well,” she said, dusting her hands, “if it isn’t the Han family’s noble heir. Come to join the lava monster assembly?”

Lucas immediately held up a cardboard piece. “This one’s the monster’s tongue!”

Daniel crouched next to them stiffly. “That’s… very impressive. I’m sure he’ll be the scariest monster in the kingdom.”

Lucas beamed.

Jia’s smile deepened. “Monsters are only scary until you realize they’re usually just misunderstood.”