The honeymead gathering lasted long into the soft evening of the fairy forest. Lira sat among the fair folk, laughter and song swirling like fireflies around her. She felt lighter than she had in weeks, as if every note and every sip of honeymead had swept away the shadows lingering in her chest.
But when the silvery light of fairy-moon beams filtered through the canopy, Queen Lissandra rose gracefully. The fairies quieted at once, wings folding. She looked at Lira with eyes that seemed to hold both warmth and eternity.
"It is time, child," she said softly. "You must return before your absence is noticed. The world beyond our circle waits for you still."
Lira nodded, though a small part of her wished she could remain here, in this haven where the worries of dragons, shards, and looming dangers seemed so far away.
