Zephyra’s POV

Lirael turned his back on Dad, dismissing the whole fraught scene with a curt, no-nonsense statement.

“Are we all done, ladies?”

Mom rose from her seat with that effortless grace I’d always admired, and I followed, standing beside her.

“Yes, thank you, Lirael,” she said, her voice warm and sincere. “The meal was absolutely delicious.”

Lirael’s smile—bright and genuine—lit up his face in a way I’d come to adore over these past eight months of officially ...