Lirael's POV

"Of course," I replied without hesitation, a hint of hurt tugging at my words. Didn’t she believe me when I assured her that I wasn’t going anywhere?

"And you’re helping Mom plant beets?" Zephyra inquired, her gaze flickering to the spade in my hand.

I glanced down at my fingers wrapped around the tool. "It would seem so," I confirmed with a faint smile.

Zephyra descended the steps toward us, and the sight of her approaching left me momentarily breathless. The way she moved, ...