Liam laughed under his breath.
Arik looked up immediately.
They were sharing the smaller office beside the imperial library that afternoon, mostly because Liam had refused to spend another four hours in the main administrative wing while Arik worked through parliamentary reports. Rain tapped steadily against the tall windows, blurring the western gardens into muted autumn colors, and the fire had been lit despite it being barely past three.
Liam sat curled into one end of the sofa with a tablet balanced across his knees, reviewing foundation expenditures.
Arik occupied the desk.
Or, more accurately, Arik had buried the desk beneath enough documents to make Liam wonder whether parliament produced paper purely to justify its own existence.
"What?"
Liam looked up innocently.
"Nothing.
"You laughed."
"I am allowed."
"At what?"
Liam glanced toward the door.
