A tiny smile almost appeared on Elena's lips this time before she quickly hid it by looking down at her bowl.
And strangely enough… that tiny almost-smile affected him far more than her Instagram teasing from this morning ever did.
The apartment no longer felt cold and empty.
Dangerously close to feeling like home.
Elena continued standing behind the pillar for another few seconds as though she still wasn't fully convinced he had forgiven her for this morning.
That thought crossed Alaric's mind briefly before he pushed it away.
Instead, his attention shifted toward the bowl still clutched protectively in her hands.
The smell alone was enough to remind him he had barely eaten properly all day.
Elena noticed his gaze immediately.
Then after a moment of hesitation, she slowly lifted the bowl slightly toward him.
"Do you want some?"
Alaric raised an eyebrow. "A peace offering?"
"A truce offering," she corrected seriously. "You were the hostile one this morning."
