Liam stood in silence for several long seconds after Sylvathar's offer, his expression unreadable as always. But the stillness—the way his gaze settled, the exactness of his breathing—made Mabel worry. It was the kind of pause that made her believe, for just a moment, that he might actually be considering the deal.
But that belief shattered as soon as he spoke.
"Redeem myself?" Liam repeated, as if the words themselves were some abstract theory. "Is that supposed to mean something to me? Like it's a prize worth chasing?"
Sylvathar's smile waned slightly, a faint frown drawing across his lips. "Child," he said, voice cooling, "you won't get an opportunity like this again. I suggest you choose your words wisely."
