A Polished Entrance

She paused, then added with a teasing smile, “And you, young man, are practically a nephew to me.”

After a beat, she chuckled again. “Besides, I don’t recall my children ever calling your mother Mrs. Draven, do they?”

Something in her tone—easy, familiar, sincere—cut through the formality.

Kaelen felt it.

He inclined his head once, the gesture unguarded. “Thank you… Aunt Elise.”

Her face lit