Nate stepped back into the chamber immediately.
The moment the doors shut behind him again, and his eyes found Aire first.
His gaze swept over her quickly. He needed physical confirmation that she was still there, unharmed, breathing, and untouched.
Only after that did his attention shift toward Xander.
"What did he want?" Nate asked flatly.
Xander looked deeply unimpressed by the question. "You stood outside the door like a guard dog. You probably heard half the conversation already."
"I heard enough."
Aire exhaled quietly beneath her breath.
The tension between them could suffocate entire rooms at this point.
Nate walked toward her again without hesitation. He moved back beside her chair near the fire.
He stood really close.
His hand rested lightly against the back of her seat afterward.
Xander cleared his throat at the act. Nate himself only realized after several seconds had passed.
His jaw tightened faintly, but he didn't move away.
