The walk back to Hesreth Street was quiet.
Aranea tried to smile as she walked between Elenea and Beau, but the silence pressed heavily around them. Leonel trailed just a step behind, his presence steady, though his expression was unreadable. He was able to catch up to them after he left the room with Zann.
The excitement of the festivals, the laughter of earlier… all of it had been smothered by what had happened in the training field.
When they reached the house, Aranea was the first to open the door, pushing it wide with more energy than she felt. "I'll cook tonight," she announced with forced cheer. "Something sweet, maybe. Pudding or cake, whichever you like."
Beau smiled gently, trying to meet her halfway. "I'll help."
"Me too," Elenea added, slipping her arm around her sister's shoulders.
But Leonel remained quiet. He set his things down on the table, folding his arms as though to ground himself, and watched Aranea bustle toward the kitchen.
