After finishing his work, Draven returned to Ember, who was sitting quietly on the swing in the garden, staring ahead blankly.
"Still worried about your brother?" came the familiar voice of her mate.
It pulled her out of her thoughts, and she turned to look at him. "With someone like Lady Cornelia healing him, do I even need to worry? I was just… enjoying the peace here."
Draven could tell she wasn't being entirely honest. Something was troubling her — but instead of pressing, he said, "That's true. She'll be here soon to check on him again. Do you want to be there?"
"No need to disturb her while she's treating her patient," Ember replied. "I met my brother before coming here."
He hummed in response. "Want to take a stroll?"
She stepped down from the swing. "Along the riverside."
Draven held her hand, and together they walked toward the boundary of the palace, where the river flowed gently, surrounding the palace like a natural moat.
