*Vanessa*

As Shawn tells me about the council meeting with the Elders and specifically Elder Luka’s dressing down of Henley, I get so caught up in the story that I don’t even notice him absentmindedly playing with my hair.

I laugh when I hear what Elder Luka said, and I laugh even harder when Shawn describes Henley’s reaction.

I look up at him, watching the peaceful look on his face and I feel that contentment spread to me ...