"You are back."
Cecilia rose from her sofa chair the moment she heard the familiar rhythm of Arkai's footsteps at the door. She had been waiting since she had known Arkai would return.
She wasn't sure what condition Roarke was in now, but Arkai's footsteps were steady. So she assumed everything was alright.
"Lord Father!"
Rinne launched himself off the sofa. He had been containing his worry for the better part of an hour and was now allowing it to escape in one explosive motion. His dark eyes scanned Arkai's face for signs of injury or distress.
"Where were you? Did something happen?"
Cecilia had not told him. After Borak had delivered the message from the temple and after she told Arkai, prompting him to check for himself, she had simply told Rinne that his father needed to step out.
She had not told him where or why, just wait. And Rinne had waited.
Arkai looked at both of them and his face softened. He smiled apologetically and said, "Nothing serious."
