Two days later, the afternoon sun spilled gold across the balcony stones, warming the carved railings and the bench where Salviana sat alone, lost in thought.
The breeze stirred the loose strands of her hair, and for once the castle felt almost quiet.
Then a careful voice broke the stillness.
"Hello."
Salviana turned—and her eyes widened so suddenly it looked as if she had forgotten how to breathe.
"Jeanie!"
She sprang to her feet. "Oh my goodness—I've missed you!"
Before another word could be said, she crossed the distance and pulled Jean Goliath into a fierce embrace.
Jean melted into it at once, arms tightening around Salviana as though she had needed the contact more than she wished to admit. A soft sigh escaped her, long and quiet, carrying exhaustion that words had not yet explained.
For several moments neither of them spoke. The reunion itself said enough.
When they finally separated, Salviana kept hold of her arms and took a proper look at her friend.
