They told them the next morning.
Not because the morning had been planned for it. It was more that the four of them were at the breakfast table the way they usually were on unhurried days, and Vaelor looked at Aelara and she looked back at him and gave him the small nod that meant: now is fine.
He said: "We have something to tell you."
Lyra looked up from her cup.
She said: "I know."
She said it the way people said things they had been holding for a while and were finally being given permission to put down.
Aelara looked at her. "You know."
"Yes."
"We told no one."
"I know you didn't." Lyra wrapped both hands around her cup. "I felt the decision. Not last night exactly. A few days ago. Something settling. I was not certain what it was until last night."
The table was quiet.
Caelum, who had been eating with the steady focus he brought to all meals, set down his spoon.
"I knew too," he said.
Aelara turned to him. "How."
