Talia did not answer.
She sat there in silence, eyes resting on Vaelira without heat or sympathy, arms lifting to cross over her chest in a closed posture. The absence of response weighed more heavily than any argument. Vaelira searched her face for judgment, validation, outrage, and found none of it reflected back.
The room remained still.
Then the reinforced door parted with a muted hiss behind them.
Neither woman turned.
"Talia," Tessa's voice called from the doorway, weak and emotional. "Step out for a moment, please…"
Talia and Vaelira held each other's gaze for another moment, tension hanging thick between them, unspoken conclusions forming on both sides. Then Talia rose from her chair, smoothing her hands down the front of her thighs as she stood. She did not offer a farewell, did not spare Vaelira a final glance. She simply walked past the empty chair and out through the open door.
The seals hummed softly as the room closed again.
Vaelira snapped.
