Zephyra's POV

Mom reached over the table and squeezed my hand, a gentle smile playing on her lips. I could get used to this, I thought to myself—the warmth of her touch a comforting reassurance in the midst of the elegant ambiance surrounding us.

I took a moment to look around the restaurant where we were dining tonight. It was opulent, even by Lirael’s high standards. While he and I frequented such upscale establishments often, we’d also developed a penchant for cooking together at home. ...