Malvoria wiped the last of the lemon cake crumbs from her fingers and let out a slow breath. The exhaustion in her bones dulled, soothed by sugar and the sound of Kaelith's delighted laughter echoing across the grass.
For a rare moment, the construction site for the portal circle had been more picnic than battleground. Even the runes carved into the earth seemed to pulse a little gentler, their glow softened as if they too were resting.
But Malvoria could not rest. Not truly. She met Elysia's eyes across the stones and caught the look there—steady, reassuring, full of the faith Elysia always seemed to have in her, even when she barely had any left for herself.
Elysia wiped her hands on a napkin, then stood and stretched, silver hair falling over her shoulders in a bright, unruly wave.
