Breakfast continued in a comforting, noisy blur filled with laughter, teasing, pastries flying across the table, and my mother's subtle threats toward Riven every time he reached for more food.
By the end of it, Aria was thoroughly charmed by my family, Aeris and Arion had practically adopted her, and Riven had only narrowly escaped murder-by-breakfast-fork at the hands of Verania. All in all, it had been a surprisingly peaceful start to a day, given recent events.
Eventually, Aria glanced up at me, a slight shadow of worry flickering briefly in her soft brown eyes.
"Elyzara," she murmured hesitantly, "do you think Mara and Elira are awake yet? I'd really like to see them…to thank them for protecting us."
Riven straightened immediately, brushing pastry crumbs from his shirt. "Yeah, same. We owe them."
"Of course," I replied, pushing away from the table. "Let's go visit."
