The rain in Ciarun had not stopped all day. It dripped from the edges of Kalen Draemyr's coat, pattering against the stone floor. His boots struck puddles with a steady rhythm as he made his way back from the outskirts of the city, the metallic tang of blood still clinging to his coat and gloves.

The mercenary work for the day had been quick but messy: an escort job which had turned skirmish. He had won, of course, but the exhaustion hung heavy in his bones, dragging him down the dimly lit alleys.

He didn't bother going home first. His tower room would be cold and silent. And silence never eased the heavy weight in his chest. Instead, he let his feet take him toward the one place in Ciarun where the air carried warmth. If one could believe it, it was the Brothel of Infinite Pleasures.

The brothel stood glowing at the end of a narrow lane, lanterns burning soft red against the rain. Music leaked through its walls, carrying a promise of distraction. Kalen pushed open the door and stepped inside, shaking the wet from his hair.

The familiar atmosphere hit him instantly: the mingled scents of perfume, smoke, and spiced wine. Women and few men moved easily between tables as they coaxed coin from tired, drunken or irritating patrons.

The first person his eyes landed on was Vesperine. She stood near the entrance, her face rarely carrying softness. Tonight was no different — her eyes flicked toward him, cool and unreadable. With clients, she smiled because she had to. With him, she didn't waste the effort.

"Back again, hm," she said, her voice low and slightly amused. She stepped closer, the faint scent of perfume surrounding her as she eyed him up and down. "You look worn. Should I find her for you?"

Kaelen gave her a small nod, tugging his gloves off finger by finger. She didn't linger for an answer, already moving with a grace. He had never once taken Vesperine's services, and she didn't seem to mind. Their conversations were short, her attention was more practical than kind.

While he waited, Kaelen leaned against one of the carved marble pillars, letting the buzz blur into the background. Workers passed him, some greeting him by name. He greeted them back quietly, as he always did. They were women and men who carried their own burdens and he treated them as people, not passing entertainment.

And then he saw her. stepped out from the side hallway. Her eyes caught on him immediately. Kalen straightened from the pillar, the corner of his mouth twitching upward into something short of a smile. His exhaustion hadn't disappeared, but it shifted now that she was here.

"Evening," he said, his voice low enough that only she could hear over the hum of the brothel. The unspoken truth hung in the air: he hadn't come for just anyone. He had come for her.