Zander shook his head the moment he spotted Gavriel and Osman outside. He had been buried under countless responsibilities, and only now did he finally find a moment to check on them again.

Gavriel and Osman sat side by side on a stone bench in the side courtyard of the Aetherion mansion, both staring into the bonfire as if it held answers neither of them liked. The flames crackled softly, casting long shadows across the courtyard walls, but neither man spoke.

‘They looked… miserable. ...