With the food finished and silence briefly returning between them, Ilyrana rose from her seat, gathering the emptied dishes back onto the tray. Her movement was quiet, but firm with intention, like someone still caught between fatigue and duty.
"I'll return this," she said softly, offering Luke a small smile. "You should rest."
But Luke, despite still being in recovery, waved a hand gently.
"I've rested enough to last a lifetime."
She gave him a brief look, the kind only Ilyrana could manage—equal parts disapproval and fondness—before nodding and making her way out the door. The gentle creak and muted thud of it closing behind her left Luke once again in solitude.
He inhaled deeply.
