Chapter 454 – Mutually Exclusive
"The Avariel loved her," Rava said quietly, setting her fork down. "You could feel it. Guilt. Relief. Everything at once. They lost a daughter and found her in a world they barely understand."
Lux leaned back, listening. "You did well, Rava."
She looked up, eyes soft with something between pride and affection. "We did well too, Lux."
The wine glinted dark red in her glass, almost black under the chandelier's warm golden hue. The table was half-cleared now—plates dotted with sauce smears and crumbs, the faint scent of roast herbs, garlic, and something buttery still lingering in the air.
Mira had finished first, of course—dragons didn't linger with food unless it was gold-plated.
Naomi had taken her sweet time with the wine, calculating something even in relaxation.
Lullaby had finished half a croissant before curling up on the plush bench with her knees up, already fading into a food coma.
But Lux… he wasn't quite done.
