Ethan stayed quiet, the tea still warm in his hand. The air around the table felt easy now. Comfortable.
Even with everything that had led up to this, none of it felt heavy. The food, the lighting, the company—it all blended together in a way that just made sense.
Like this moment had been waiting for them all day.
Lilith leaned back in her chair, one leg crossed loosely over the other. She was watching him, but not in any urgent way, just calm and content.
Seraphina, across the table, had a similar look in her eyes—quiet, focused, but with that little spark of amusement that always came out when she was relaxed.
There was no tension between them. No pressure in the room. Just heat from the food, soft shadows from the walls, and the kind of silence that made you want to stay still and enjoy it.
"You're really not going to eat unless we feed you?" Lilith asked, voice low and smooth.
Ethan gave a slight shrug. "I didn't say that."
