A full week had passed since the incident, six days during which the village had fallen silent.

  Nerya had stayed by Zephyra’s side to help during her recovery.

  After five days confined to bed, she had finally been able to stand without wavering, easing Nerya’s heart to see her moving freely again.

  “Thank you, my darling, I don’t know what I would have done without you.

  Will you help me set the table?

  Your father shouldn’t be long getting back,” she said with a smile.

  “Yeth mama.

  Me set table,” Nerya replied, following Zephyra.

  While Zephyra went to the kitchen, Nerya took the plates and headed for the table.

  Still too small compared to it, she stretched her arms upward to set the plates down, then did the same with the rest of the cutlery.

  She wiped her feet before climbing onto her chair, then onto the table, to place everything properly.

  As they were almost done preparing everything, laughter echoed from the garden.

  Nerya went to the door, which she opened using a small rope placed there especially for her.

  Eldran was with Grydhor, who bent down when he saw Nerya.

  “Oh, look who this is.

  Come give your beloved papa a big hug,” he said, opening his arms wide.

  Nerya threw herself at him, pressing against him to savor the moment.

  “Her beloved papa?

  Because you know other men she calls papa, maybe?” Zephyra asked, exasperated.

  She was leaning against the doorframe, giving Grydhor a small wave.

  Eldran straightened up, holding Nerya against him.

  “With your temperament, she might end up calling you papa too, you know.

  You’ve got the delicacy of a Hydréon in a glass market.

  I had to straighten out two recruits after your words about the Oakmaw, my dear wife,” he replied with a laugh.

  At those words, Zephyra shot Eldran a dark look, and he stopped smiling at once.

  “Hahaha, you two will never change, will you.

  The gods have a strange sense of humor sometimes.

  I’m lucky that Kelina and I are more settled, it must be exhausting being the two of you,” Grydhor added.

  Nerya hadn’t seen her before, but behind Grydhor, another person was there.

  She stepped forward gently, a shy smile forming on her lips.

  She wasn’t very tall like Grydhor, but her figure was slender.

  Her hair was styled in a long braid that fell down to her lower back, and her white dress brought a touch of light.

  She approached Nerya, slightly hesitant.

  “So you’re the cute little girl my husband never stops talking about?

  Pleased to meet you, Nerya.

  I’m Kelina,” she said.

  She held out her hand and took Nerya’s, giving it a gentle shake in greeting.

  She then turned toward Zephyra, bowing slightly in the beginning of a curtsey.

  “Well, shall we go inside?

  The night is lovely, but the smell is making me hungry,” Eldran went on, his stomach growling.

  “I’ll admit it, it smells good.

  You’re an excellent warrior, but when it comes to cooking, you’ve got that covered too, nothing to complain about,” Grydhor affirmed.

  They crossed the threshold, Eldran setting Nerya down on the floor.

  Everyone gathered around the table, Zephyra pouring a little wine for each of them.

  She then filled Nerya’s glass with freshly pressed apple juice.

  “How are you feeling, Zephyra?

  I know you’re tough, but you pushed yourself a bit too far the other day.

  You’ve mastered the third circle, that’s a fact, but it’s still very recent.

  You shouldn’t use it lightly, you know,” Grydhor asked.

  “I know.

  But you surely saw it yourself, if you were there.

  That idiot… may his soul rest in peace… got himself burned and did nothing but sow doubt and fear.

  I couldn’t let them act without doing anything.

  Even reinforced swords become useless if doubt takes hold,” she replied, her gaze distant.

  “It’s one thing for you to want to help, Zephyra.

  You’re strong, I know that better than anyone.

  But I’d like to avoid losing my wife because of other people’s mistakes, if possible,” Eldran went on, his voice calm.

  “I’m not made of sugar.

  If I did it, it’s because I’m capable of it.

  It’s just that the higher you climb in the circles, the more costly the mana consumption becomes,” she explained.

  Nerya listened carefully to the conversation, taking a small sip from time to time.

  She didn’t understand everything, but she was slowly learning the rules of this world.

  She had struggled at first, with weeks of six days instead of seven, with the names and cycles of the months.

  “Zephyra, what they mean is that you’re still young.

  You’re only twenty-one, and you didn’t follow the classical training of a mage.

  If you drain your resources too often, you know your life will end up being shortened.

  You’re strong, but you also need to trust others.

  Your husband trains these young ones to protect the village, trust what he’s doing,” Kelina added.

  Zephyra then stood up without saying a word, took a dish that had been set on the fire behind her, and placed it at the center of the table.

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  “Thank you for worrying about me, truly.

  But tonight, we’re not here for that, are we.

  We have something else to think about, don’t you agree?” she asked.

  But her gaze made it clear she wasn’t expecting an answer.

  She lifted the lid from the dish.

  A thick steam escaped at once, and as soon as it reached Nerya’s nostrils, it made her mouth water.

  A caramelized scent, mixed with that of chicken and potatoes, spread through the whole house.

  “Before we start, Nerya, come with me please,” she went on with a smile.

  The little girl was slightly surprised by the request, but she climbed down from her chair to join her mother.

  Zephyra took her onto her lap, then looked at Grydhor.

  “You give it to her now?

  That way, after the meal, her beloved papa will be happy to teach her,” she whispered.

  Grydhor rose from his chair and headed toward the door, where they had set their things when they came in.

  He pulled out a large cloth that held something solid inside, then approached Nerya.

  Zephyra set her down on the floor, patting her back to encourage her to go and see.

  “Go on, my darling, it’s for you.

  It’s your birthday present… a little late,” she said.

  Nerya walked timidly toward Grydhor, who handed her the bundle.

  She set the gift on the armchair beside her, then, carefully, uncovered its contents.

  She froze for a few moments at what lay before her.

  A sword, with a hilt of dazzling white, topped by a crossed pommel, like fingers holding a gem of Signiloth.

  Its guard, made of polished metal, formed a rounded arc, adorned with serrated teeth pointing toward the blade.

  And that blade… it was unlike anything else.

  Its shape rippled slightly, and it shone just like the hilt.

  But then Nerya noticed inscriptions engraved along the blade.

  Yet she couldn’t read them.

  “So, do you like it, my little one?

  I had to call on an Elven friend to enchant it.

  When you’re old enough, you’ll be able to channel your magic into the sword,” Grydhor said as he saw her studying the runes.

  “It’s Elvish, you can’t read it.

  But the enchantments are powerful enough to contain magic, even in large amounts.”

  She placed her small hands on the hilt, lifting the sword, which was surprisingly light for its size.

  “Grydhor, you can’t be serious.

  You know how rare elven enchantments are… and how costly.

  I can’t settle for a simple dinner as thanks,” Zephyra replied, shocked.

  “Nonsense, Zephyra.

  I have connections who agreed willingly when I explained.

  And besides, it’s for your daughter.

  I wouldn’t do that for a stranger.

  We all have our little secrets,” he explained with a laugh.

  But while they were talking, as joy filled Nerya, another sensation took hold of her.

  Something colder.

  As if the sword she was holding… was trying to speak to her.

  No, that’s not possible.

  It must be the fatigue making me hallucinate, she thought.

  She set it back into the cloth, her gaze still fixed on the sword.

  Zephyra stepped closer, making her flinch as she placed a hand on her shoulder.

  “We’ll put it away for now, all right.

  You can train with it after the meal.

  If papa is still standing,” Zephyra explained as she put the sword away.

  Zephyra then placed the bundle on top of a cupboard and went back to sit down, Nerya returning to her seat as well.

  My birthday… how old would I really be?

  It doesn’t matter, it doesn’t matter anymore now.

  And I have a good life now, I can’t wait until I can just speak normally, Nerya thought as she held out her plate to be served.

  She grabbed her small wooden fork and stabbed it into the chicken.

  The crispy skin cracked under the pressure, and once the flesh was pierced, juices began to run along the meat.

  She tore off a small piece, then speared a slice of potato, bringing it all to her mouth.

  Her shoulders relaxed as the flavors mixed on her palate.

  Even though she often ate her mother’s cooking, each meal felt like a new sensation.

  “Is good mama.

  Me like meat,” she said with a big smile.

  Everyone around the table burst out laughing, continuing their meal with conversations Nerya paid no attention to.

  She finished her plate shortly after the others, her gaze growing heavy with fatigue.

  “Ohhh, my little princess is starting to get tired, but you’ll have to wait just a little longer,” Eldran said as he stood up to lift Nerya.

  “Kelina made you a little cake, I’m sure you’ll love it, my angel.”

  He sat back down in his seat, while Kelina picked up her satchel that had been hanging on the back of the chair.

  A cake?

  Why is she taking her satchel then?

  He must mean a treat instead, Nerya thought, perplexed.

  But her tone shifted when she saw Kelina slip her hand into the satchel, her arm going in all the way to the elbow without any trouble.

  She rummaged for a few seconds before pulling her arm back out, her hand holding a large metal box.

  “I’m not as good a cook as your mother, but I hope you’ll like it, Nerya,” Kelina said with a small, awkward smile.

  She opened the box, taking out a cake of a pale pink color.

  A sweet smell filled the room, replacing the caramelized scent of the chicken.

  They placed three small candles in the center, lighting them with a small stick taken from the fireplace.

  “All right, sweetheart, make a wish and blow as hard as you can,” Zephyra explained as she brought the cake closer to Nerya.

  Nerya closed her eyes, her head tilting slightly back.

  A wish, make a wish?

  I wish our family will always be this happy, and that these little moments will always be here, she thought as sincerely as she could.

  She opened her eyes and began to blow out the candles, her small breath forcing her to try three times.

  Zephyra then cut the cake, serving a slice to everyone before taking one for herself.

  Nerya ate while smiling at Kelina, her gaze growing more and more unfocused.

  Then, without expecting it, her head tipped against Eldran’s shoulder as her breathing slowed.

  He gently laid her down on the armchair, finishing the meal while Nerya slept peacefully.

  The evening ended shortly after, Zephyra cleaning the table while Eldran walked Grydhor and Kelina out to the gate.

  He returned a few minutes later, stretching a little before helping Zephyra clean.

  “Go put her to bed, I’m finished anyway.

  I’ll join you in our room after.

  And don’t take advantage of it to tease her, let her rest.

  She spent a long time taking care of me, she’s earned that rest,” Zephyra whispered, looking at Nerya with a gentle gaze.

  Eldran then took Nerya delicately in his arms, careful not to wake her, and headed toward her room.

  He slipped her into her bed and pulled the blankets up to her neck, then placed a soft kiss on her forehead.

  “Sleep well, my daughter, have sweet dreams.

  Know that we love you more than anything,” he said in a very low voice, smiling.

  He stepped out, closing the door, and went to his own room, where Zephyra was already waiting.

  “I’ll admit I was afraid when she was born, that her instinct would reject me by default, knowing that… anyway.

  We couldn’t have dreamed of better, she’s pure love,” Eldran murmured as he removed his shirt.

  “Of course she’s adorable, I’m her mother.

  She may not be whole the way we would have wished, but if we give her love, there’s no reason she should ever doubt,” Zephyra replied.

  They lay down in the bed, pulled the covers over themselves, kissed slowly, and finally extinguished the lanterns.

  Eldran’s soft snoring soon echoed through the room.