"Lord Dominic attempted to contact you."
Damien arched a brow.
"Did he now?"
She nodded once. "When you were inside."
"And?"
"I answered."
He looked at her—still calm.
And Elysia, who had spent the last three years perfecting the art of neutrality, felt a flicker of heat climb her neck. Barely visible. Almost nonexistent.
She stood straight. Expression level.
"I did not tell him anything."
Damien's gaze lingered a moment longer.
Then he looked back toward the canyon.
Damien turned his gaze back toward her.
And this time—
He smiled.
Not his usual smirk. Not the sharp, knowing curl of lips that hinted at schemes or superiority.
This was different.
Small. Quiet. Unforced.
But it carried weight.
Gratitude.
Recognition.
Trust.
"Good," he said.
Just that.
But the way he said it—
