Violet stepped outside first, calling softly for Drogo as the great dragon lifted his head from where he had been waiting near the doorway. Atlas followed close behind her, stretching his wings slightly before settling beside Drogo in the courtyard.
" Don't take too long," Violet said with a small smile over her shoulder. " The council won't wait forever."
Then she disappeared out the door. The room grew quiet. For a moment, neither Starfania nor moved. The soft light from the balcony filtered across the table between them, the faint sounds of Primara waking up drifting through the open windows. As peace settled into a comfortable stillness, Aeron finally spoke. " How are you feeling right now, Starfania?"
His voice was gentle but direct. Starfania looked down at the floor, then slowly lifted her gaze. Her eyes briefly scanned the room, as though she anticipated the others would still be present. But it was just the two of them. She knew exactly what he was asking. Not about the meeting. About everything. Taking a steady breath, she admitted quietly, " To be honest…conflicted."
Aeron leaned forward slightly, resting his forearms on the table. Concern softened his usually easygoing expression.
" I don't even know how to ease your mind about the whole situation," he said. " And I hate that you have to sit there and listen to them talk about your father…and our home."
The word landed with quiet honesty. Starfania exhaled slowly, her thoughts swirling like leaves caught in a restless wind.
" It's not just that," she said after a moment, her fingers absently tracing the rim of the glass beside her. " It's the weight of their expectations. Everyone looks at me like I'm supposed to know what to do."
She paused. " But I don't"
Aeron nodded slowly. He understood more than she realized.
" I feel like I'm being pulled in every direction," she continued softly. " Primara wants protection. Avalon needs balance. And VulcanFire…"
His voice trailed off. Aeron finished the thought quietly. " It's still our home."
She didn't deny it. He leaned back slightly in his chair, studying her for a moment before speaking again.
" You don't have to carry all of that alone," he said. " You know that, right?"
Starfania gave a faint smile, though uncertainty still lingered behind it.
" I know," she admitted. " But asking for help isn't exactly something I'm good at."
Aeron raised an eyebrow. " Really? I hadn't noticed."
She gave him a small nod.
" I mean it," she added. " I don't want to burden you or Violet with my doubts."
Aeron shook his head immediately. " Starfania…this isn't a burden."
His voice softened, but the conviction remained. " This is what friends are for."
The sincerity in his tone warmed something in her chest. She looked down for a moment, gathering her thoughts before speaking again.
" Sometimes it feels like I'm standing at a crossroads," she whispered. " One path leads away from everything I've ever known."
Her gaze drifted toward the balcony where the distant hills of Primara stretched across the horizon. " And the other keeps me tied to it."
Aeron followed her gaze for a moment before responding.
" Then maybe you don't have to pick one," he suggested. She turned back toward him. " What do you mean?"
" Maybe you make your own path," he said with a small shrug. " Take the parts of home that were good. The parts worth protecting."
He paused, letting the thought settle. " And bring them with you."
Starfania considered the idea of turning slowly in her mind. A faint smile tugged at her lips. " That's easier said than done."
Aeron chuckled lightly, the sound easing the tension in the room. " Everything important is."
For a moment, the quiet returned. But it no longer felt heavy. Outside, Drogo let out a distant rumble, and Atlas answered with a low breath. A reminder that they were waiting. Starfania drew in one more deep breath. She felt…lighter. Not free from doubt. But steadier.
" Alright," she said finally, " I'll try."
She stood from the table and looked at him. " But I'm going to need your support along the way."
Aeron stood as well, offering a reassuring grin. " You've got it."
His gaze remained steady and confident. " You're stronger than you think."
He gestured toward the door where the others waited. " Just take it one step at a time."
Starfania nodded. Together they walked toward the doorway, stepping out into the morning light where Violet, Drogo, and Atlas waited patiently. The Grand Hall—and whatever decisions awaited inside it—was only moments away. But now she didn't feel like she was walking into it alone.