Trafalgar turned toward Aubrelle and took the hand she offered. He had barely seen her since arriving at the Council, apart from a few brief moments between gatherings. Their families had kept them both busy, and whenever he found a free hour, something else came along to claim it.
"I'm finished for the moment," he said. "Valttair still has a few things to deal with, but he hasn't asked me to accompany him. How about we spend the rest of the afternoon together?"
Aubrelle moved closer and slipped her arm through his.
"I'd like that. I was beginning to wonder whether we'd have an opportunity before everyone started leaving."
Pipin rode on her shoulder, his pale feathers catching the low sun. The bandage she had once worn was long gone, and strangers sometimes faltered when her unfocused eyes passed over them, but Aubrelle had stopped caring about that long ago.
