All the chiefs except for Nyra were present. My mother was also sitting with them, deep in conversation. The bags under her eyes told me she hadn't slept in days. Beside her was Roran's wife, Eira. She sat at the end of the table, watching over the conversation like an empress observing her subjects.
As always, she had a glass of wine in her hand, swirling it as she crossed her legs elegantly. Just as I entered, I saw Kaelen whispering something in her ear. No doubt he was talking about me.
Immediately, as the door was pushed open, everyone's gaze turned to us, standing at the doorway. Of course, the first to react was my mother, who jumped from her seat the moment she caught sight of me.
"Liam!" she practically leaped over the table to get to me. She immediately wrapped her arms around me and pulled me in for a hug. "I thought you were…" she tried to speak, but it was as if the words wouldn't come out as she began sobbing uncontrollably.
