I took a careful sip of my tea and discovered that he had, unfortunately, prepared it perfectly.
The tea was hot without being painful, sweet enough to count as comfort, and strong enough that the milk hadn't destroyed it.
I took a second drink before setting the mug beside me. "It's acceptable."
Zhenlan's smile deepened slightly. "I'll consider that high praise."
"It shouldn't go to your head."
"I'll try to remain humble."
The movie menu waited on the screen while rain continued pouring beyond the edge of the terrace. Every few seconds, lightning moved silently behind the clouds. The thunder followed later, deep and distant enough that it blended with the sound of water running from the roof.
Nothing struck the barrier.
No zombies appeared between the trees.
The plants below lifted happily toward the storm without recoiling from anything beneath the soil.
I noticed myself checking anyway.
