Lor's grin turned mischievous, his black hair falling into his eyes as he bit into his skewer, the sauce tangy on his tongue.
And so, the group shared a round of chuckles, the skewers warming their hands as the evening sun dipped low, casting golden hues over the cobblestones.
As they finished, they parted ways, Myra and Viora heading toward the market square, Olivia and Eva toward the residential lanes, and Nellie lingering a moment, her gray-green eyes hesitant.
Lor started toward his home, the cobblestones cool under his boots, the evening air carrying the scent of woodsmoke and baked bread.
He was steps from his door when a soft voice called out behind him. "Lor."
He turned, his hazel eyes narrowing, his lazy grin returning as he saw Nellie, her ash-brown braids swaying, her freckled cheeks pink in the fading light, her spellbook clutched tightly.
