Her brothers drifted closer, forming a small barrier around her without meaning to.
Aidan leaned in. "So?"
Daphne met his eyes and nodded once. "He didn't dismiss me."
Finn's face broke into a grin. "That's good," he said. "That's a start."
Before Daphne could respond, movement at the staircase caught everyone's attention.
Alaric was coming down.
He looked composed, though he was dressed simply, he still looked every inch the general even here. Elizabeth and Thomas greeted him immediately.
"Did you sleep well?" Elizabeth asked kindly.
Alaric's gaze flicked to Daphne just for a moment, then moved away again. "I did," he said. "Thank you for asking."
He stepped fully into the room.
Without a word, he went straight to Daphne.
She barely had time to adjust before he reached for Nathaniel. When he took their son from her arms, their fingers brushed.
Daphne's ears reddened, but Alaric didn't comment. He cradled Nathaniel against his chest, patting his back.
