They arrived at Thomas' estate just as the evening light was fading.
Their horse rode through the gates, escorted by a small unit of shadow knights riding alongside. The estate guards bowed immediately and opened the way.
Alaric stepped down first, then held his hand up to Daphne.
She placed her hand in his and he helped her down carefully, not because she couldn't, but because he lived to serve her.
As they walked into the house together, servants bowed to them.
When they entered the house, a servant led them straight to the living room.
Thomas, Elizabeth, Lyra and Emma were all seated there, mid-conversation but the moment they saw the couple, everything stopped.
Elizabeth stood up so fast her chair nearly toppled.
"Daphne!"
She rushed forward immediately, grabbing her daughter's hands, scanning her face like she was checking for injuries.
Thomas rose too. "What exactly were you two thinking?" he demanded.
Alaric didn't react
