Chapter 367: Disturbance in Rain
The cool breeze from the open window filtered into the inn, bringing with it the scent of rain and the quiet sounds of the city as it prepared for the night. Clarisse sat near the fireplace, absently running her fingers through her son’s soft hair as he slept in her lap. Across the room, Lyan was leaning against the wall, his gaze fixed on her, though he quickly looked away the moment she glanced up at him. It was a pattern she had grown used to over the past few weeks, ever since that kiss that had changed everything between them.
Lyan visited her every day now, for three hours at a time. It had started as a necessity—checking in on her and the boy, making sure they had everything they needed—but somehow, it had turned into more than that. They would walk together in the marketplace or sit at a nearby café, sharing quiet moments over tea. At first, Clarisse had been bitter and spiteful, her words laced with resentment and cutting remarks. She had thrown every sharp comment she could muster at him, hoping to keep him at a distance. But despite her biting words, Lyan always stayed calm, his presence steady and unshaken.
What frustrated her the most was that Lyan never argued back. He simply listened, his eyes soft and understanding, even as she lashed out at him. And the more time they spent together, the harder it became for her to keep up the act. Her words were still sharp, still filled with anger and pain, but her eyes... her eyes betrayed her. No matter how much her mouth rejected him, her heart seemed to soften toward him, her defenses crumbling bit by bit.
She hated it. She hated that she had begun to look forward to his visits, that she found herself searching for him in the crowd when they walked through the market. He was supposed to be the man she despised, the man who had taken her husband from her. But each day, the lines between enemy and protector blurred even further, and she wasn’t sure how to stop it.
Tonight was no different. Clarisse glanced up at him again, catching his gaze before he quickly averted his eyes. She smirked. "You really aren’t very good at pretending you’re not staring, you know," she said, her voice teasing but laced with the faintest hint of irritation.
Lyan chuckled softly, rubbing the back of his neck in a way that was almost bashful. "Caught again, huh? I guess I need to work on my subtlety."
Clarisse shook her head, but there was no bite in her response. "I don’t know why you even try to hide it. You’re such a terrible liar, Lyan."
"I’m not lying," Lyan said, pushing off the wall and moving toward her. His eyes flickered to her son before settling back on her. "I’m just... admiring."
Clarisse rolled her eyes, though a small smile tugged at the corners of her mouth. She wasn’t sure if it was the way he said it, or the way his eyes lingered just a moment longer than they should, but something about it made her feel warm inside. Not that she’d ever admit that to him, of course.