The knock was too soft to be anyone else.
Merlin didn't answer at first. He stayed seated, eyes on the edge of the desk, where a curl of parchment had peeled back under its own weight. The light overhead buzzed faintly, muted and warm, casting the room in shades of orange and shadow.
Another knock. This one slower. Not urgent. Just… present.
Then the door eased open.
Elara stood in the doorway.
She didn't look surprised to see him sitting there, back half-turned toward the entrance. Her coat was slung over one shoulder, hair tied back loosely. A faint edge of fatigue sat under her eyes, but it didn't dull them.
"I said I'd come," she said simply.
Merlin nodded, but it was slow. He didn't stand.
Elara stepped in and shut the door behind her. The soft click echoed louder than it should have.
Her eyes moved across the room once. Desk. Bed. One cup half-filled with tea gone cold. Keryx resting against the wall within easy reach.