Chapter 416: Good Company
Selena’s lips curved into a knowing smile as she studied Adam’s face. Her voice was smooth, carrying a note of playful amusement.
"I can make it happen. But it won’t be cheap—supplies are scarce around here, and the ones that do exist come at a premium."
Adam’s expression didn’t waver. His voice was steady, confident.
"Don’t worry about the cost. I have the funds."
His gaze drifted to her hand—the one that had been missing, now whole and moving with easy grace as she gestured. His eyebrows rose slightly, a flicker of genuine surprise crossing his face.
"Looks like you drank it."
Selena’s smile widened. She lifted her hand, turning it over in the dim light with a graceful, almost theatrical flourish. Her voice carried a note of elegant satisfaction.
"Of course I did. Though I have to admit—watching a limb regrow in real time was a rather... unusual experience. But still preferable to the alternative." She paused, her amber eyes glinting with dry amusement. "I’d take sudden regeneration over sudden amputation any day."
Adam winced, his voice carrying a note of awkward guilt.
"...Ouch."
Selena’s smile softened, a flicker of genuine warmth passing through her amber eyes as she set her hand back on the desk.
"That was a joke." She tilted her head, studying him with quiet amusement.
Adam’s crimson eyes narrowed slightly, a faint smirk tugging at his lips.
"I still can’t tell when you’re joking or not."
Selena’s amber eyes glinted with amusement as she rose from her chair, crossing to a polished wooden cabinet against the far wall. Her movements were unhurried, deliberate, as she opened its doors to reveal a neat row of bottles, their dark glass catching the dim candlelight.
"That’s a compliment, by the way," she said, her voice light and teasing. "It means you’re not as easy to read as most people."
She selected a bottle with a deep, ruby-red liquid, its surface catching the light like liquid fire. She pulled the cork with a soft pop, the scent of dark berries filling the air.
"So," she continued, pouring a small measure into two crystal glasses. "Would you like a drink? This is a vintage from the eastern vineyards—rare, even before the city fell."
Adam raised a hand, his voice carrying a note of polite refusal.
"I’ve already had a bit to drink tonight. I’m fine."
Selena’s lips curved into a slow, knowing smile. She held one of the glasses out to him, her amber eyes gleaming with playful challenge.
"Refusing a drink from a woman is considered quite rude, you know. Especially when she’s offering something this good."
Adam’s lips pressed into a thin, amused line.
"You’re not going to let me say no, are you?"
Selena’s smile widened, a flicker of triumph in her amber eyes as she tilted the glass slightly, the ruby liquid catching the light.
"Now you’re learning."
Adam let out a low sigh, reaching out to take the glass from her hand. His voice carried a note of measured caution as he glanced at her.
"Fine. But only a little. I can’t stay long."
Selena settled back into her chair, lifting her own glass in a slow, deliberate toast. Her voice carried a note of elegant satisfaction.
"Just a taste, then. I promise you won’t regret it."
Adam brought the glass to his lips, taking a cautious sip. The wine was smooth, rich, with a warmth that spread through his chest like liquid fire. His eyes widened slightly, a flicker of genuine surprise crossing his face.
"...That’s actually really good."
Selena’s smile deepened, a note of quiet pride in her voice.
"I told you."
Selena took a slow sip of her wine, savoring the warmth as it spread through her chest. She set the glass down with a soft clink, her amber eyes thoughtful.
"I’ll have the materials prepared for you as soon as possible. But I didn’t expect you to find a blacksmith in these ruins."
Adam shrugged, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
"Yeah, it wasn’t easy. But she was still there, buried under all that rubble. Lucky for me, she agreed to take the job."
Selena’s lips curved into a knowing smile, her fingers tracing the rim of her glass.
"There aren’t many people left in this city who still practice their craft. Most fled or gave up. A blacksmith willing to work in these conditions is rare—and valuable." She paused, her gaze drifting toward the window, where the ruins of Myrta stretched beneath the pale moonlight. "I might have to pay her a visit myself. A skilled blacksmith could be a valuable asset to the city’s rebuilding efforts."
Adam’s eyes narrowed slightly.
"You’re already thinking about how to use her for your own benefit, aren’t you?"
Selena’s smile widened, unrepentant, her amber eyes gleaming with quiet mischief.
"A merchant’s soul never rests, Adam. You learn to recognize opportunities—even when they’re buried under rubble. And you learn to seize them before anyone else does."
Adam let out a low chuckle, shaking his head as he lifted his glass in a slow, deliberate toast.
"Remind me never to get on your bad side."
Selena’s laughter was soft, genuine, as she raised her glass to meet his.
"Now that would be a wise decision."
Selena took another sip of her wine, her amber eyes softening as she studied Adam’s face over the rim of her glass. A faint, genuine smile touched her lips as she set the glass down.
"You know... it’s not every day I get called ’honorable’ by a dragon. I’ll admit—it’s a rather pleasant surprise."
Adam’s brow furrowed slightly, his crimson eyes carrying a note of honest confusion.
"Honorable? I didn’t say anything about honor."
Selena let out a soft, musical laugh, shaking her head slowly. Her voice carried a note of warm amusement.
"No, you didn’t. But the way you looked at me just now, it told me everything I needed to know." She paused, her gaze dropping to her glass. "You were trying to figure out if I was a good person. And the fact that you cared enough to wonder... that’s honor enough for me."
Adam’s expression shifted, caught between surprise and something softer. His voice came out quieter, almost awkward.
"I... didn’t realize I was that obvious."
Selena’s smile widened, her amber eyes gleaming with playful warmth.
"You’re not. I just pay attention." She lifted her glass in a slow, deliberate toast.
Adam let out a low chuckle, raising his own glass to meet hers.
They drank, the warmth of the wine settling between them like a quiet understanding.
Selena lowered her glass, her voice carrying a note of quiet reflection as she traced the rim with her finger.
"Honestly, I used to think I had everything figured out. I knew who I was, what I wanted, and how to get it. But after the city fell, I realized I’d been wrong about a lot of things." She paused, her gaze lifting to meet his. "I thought I needed power to survive. But what I actually needed was something else entirely."
Adam’s voice was quiet, curious.
"What was that?"
Selena’s lips curved into a faint, enigmatic smile.
"To be reminded that I could still start over."
Adam’s crimson eyes softened, a flicker of understanding passing through them. He lifted his glass in a slow, deliberate gesture, his voice carrying a note of quiet sincerity.
"Then I’m glad I could help."
Selena’s smile deepened, a flicker of warmth passing through her amber eyes.
They drank, the wine warm and smooth, carrying the warmth of a fresh beginning.
The wine settled warmly in Adam’s chest as he set his glass down, but a thought surfaced, sharp and curious.
"Wait—you said I was trying to figure out if you were a good person. What’s your conclusion?"
Selena’s amber eyes met his, carrying a hint of thoughtful consideration.
"...I’m still figuring that out," she said, her voice carrying a note of quiet honesty. "But I think that’s the point. The people who are certain they’re good are usually the ones who aren’t."
Adam’s lips curved into a slow, approving smile.
"That’s surprisingly wise."
Selena let out a soft, genuine laugh, her eyes crinkling at the corners.
"You know... for a man who walks around with the power to level cities, you’re surprisingly easy to talk to."
Adam’s voice carried a note of self-deprecating humor.
"Maybe that’s because I’m too tired to be intimidating."
Selena let out a soft, musical laugh, her eyes gleaming with amusement as she leaned back in her chair.
"Now that’s a line I haven’t heard before." She studied him with quiet fascination. "Most people don’t admit their weaknesses so easily."
Adam shrugged, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
"Everyone has weaknesses. Pretending otherwise is just... exhausting."
Selena’s smile softened, a flicker of approval passing through her amber eyes.
"Another thing I like about you."
Adam’s cheeks flushed slightly, the warmth of the wine and the unexpected praise mingling in a way that made him look away. Selena’s gaze lingered on him, a subtle shift in her posture as she tilted her head. The movement drew Adam’s attention to the wine-dark stain blooming across her cheeks—a flush that reached the tips of her ears and spread down her neck.
Then his gaze drifted lower, and he noticed her gown.
It was a deep burgundy, the fabric rich and flowing, its neckline dipping lower than he’d realized. The soft candlelight caught the curve of her collarbone, tracing shadows that hinted at the shape beneath.
Adam blinked, his thoughts stuttering as he realized he had been staring. He forced his gaze back to her face, his voice carrying a note of strained composure.
"That wine is stronger than I thought."
Selena’s smile widened, her cheeks flushing deeper, a flicker of knowing amusement passing through her amber eyes. Her voice carried a low, teasing edge.
"Or maybe you’re just not used to good company."