The house felt quieter than usual after they got back from the beach.
No one really talked on the walk home. The sound of the waves still sat in Runar's ears, mixed with the soft scuff of footsteps on the path. Celestia stayed close, close enough that their shoulders kept brushing. She didn't say anything, but she didn't pull away either. Cassia walked a little ahead, quiet in that focused way of hers, like she was already turning the whole conversation over in her head. Nyla kicked at small stones, sending them skittering into the grass. Her usual bounce was gone. She just looked… tired.
Inside, the others gave them room. Jake and Caspian exchanged a look and disappeared toward the study. Lirien and Seraphina moved into the kitchen without a word. Cups clinked softly. No one asked what had been said on the sand. They already knew the shape of it.
