The house was hushed in the pale light of dawn.
The griefstone walls glowed faintly, runes pulsing like sleepy embers. The air carried the scent of simmering broth, mingled with the sharper tang of herbs left from Illan's brewing.
Outside, the yard was still, dew clinging to the grass, the world caught between silence and awakening.
Ivy stirred awake at last. She had slept too long, her body heavy with exhaustion, her mind fogged with dreams that clung like mist. Her braid was loose, strands falling across her face, her cloak wrinkled from the night. She rubbed her eyes, still half-asleep, her steps slow and uneven as she descended the stairs.
Her hand brushed the railing, fingers trailing across the wood. Her eyes blinked against the light, her lips parted in a faint sigh.
At the hearth, Tieran stood. His cloak was draped loosely, his seal pulsed faintly. He stirred the pot with steady hands, the spoon moving in slow circles. Steam rose, curling around his face. His jaw was tight, his breath steady, but his aura carried a quiet heaviness.
He glanced up as Ivy entered, his gaze softening.
Ivy rubbed her eyes, her voice still heavy with sleep. "Warm sadness?" she murmured, half a question, half a thought.
Tieran's spoon stilled in the pot. He set it down with deliberate care, folding his arms across his chest. His shoulders squared, his jaw tightened, and a faint crease formed between his brows. The firelight caught the shadow in his expression, turning it into something both stern and weary.
He looked at her directly, his gaze steady but edged with irritation. "Any problem?" he asked, the words clipped, his tone carrying the faint bite of annoyance.
Ivy blinked, still half-dreaming, her braid slipping forward as she shook her head. Her lips curved faintly, her voice soft. "No," she whispered, her tone fragile but certain.
Ivy sat at the table, still half-drowsy from her long sleep. Her braid was loose, strands falling across her face, her cloak draped carelessly over her shoulders. She rubbed her eyes, blinking against the light, her lips parted in a faint sigh. Her seal pulsed faintly, fragile but steady.
The door creaked open, and Thimble bounded in. His ears twitched wildly, his cloak flapped behind him, his seal pulsed erratically. His eyes sparkled with curiosity, his lips curved into a mischievous grin. He hopped across the floor, his voice high and sharp.
"What's warm sadness?" he asked, ears flicking as he tilted his head. His tone was half-confused, half-teasing, as though the phrase itself was a puzzle he wanted to solve.
Illan followed from behind, his steps slow and deliberate. His cloak trailed neatly, his seal pulsed faintly, his brows furrowed in thought. He carried a small bundle of herbs in one hand, his other hand folded behind his back. His voice was low, calm, edged with curiosity.
"I wonder too," he said softly. "I've heard this before."
His eyes lingered on Ivy, his lips curved faintly, his seal pulsed steadily.
From the kitchen, Tieran emerged. His cloak was draped loosely, his seal pulsed faintly, his jaw tightened. He carried the pot carefully, steam curling upward, filling the hall with the earthy scent of porridge. His eyes softened as he glanced at Ivy, his lips curved faintly.
"That's Ivy's nickname for porridge," he said simply, his voice low but steady.
Illan's brows lifted, his lips curved faintly, his seal pulsed softly. "Makes sense," he murmured, his tone calm, as though the odd phrase had finally found its place.
Thimble's ears twitched, his grin widened, his seal flickered brightly. He darted forward, hopping beside Tieran, his cloak flapping. "I'll help you!" he shouted, his voice high and eager. "I'll lend a hand!"
He reached for the pot, his movements clumsy but full of energy. Tieran's jaw tightened, his brows furrowed, but he allowed Thimble to steady the tray as they carried it together into the hall. Steam rose in thick curls, filling the air with warmth.
Ivy watched them from the table, her lips curved faintly, her seal pulsed softly. Her eyes lingered on their movements, her breath steadying. She tilted her head, her voice soft, fragile.
"Where's Mom? Aunt Orie? Aunt Aldi?" she asked, her tone edged with curiosity.
Tieran set the pot down carefully, his cloak trailing, his seal pulsed faintly. He ladled the porridge into a bowl, steam curling upward, the scent earthy and warm. He passed it to Ivy, his hand steady, his eyes softened.
"They went out," he said gently. "To get some fresh air… and some wild fruits. To dissolve the bitterness of yesterday's medicine."
"Was the medicine that much bitter?" she asked, her lips curving faintly, her seal pulsed softly.
Illan, seated near the end of the table, lifted his gaze. His cloak was neat, his posture straight, his seal pulsed faintly but steady. His brows furrowed, his lips curved into a faint smirk, his eyes narrowed with dry humor. He set his spoon down with deliberate care, folding his hands together.
"Not unless," he said calmly, his voice edged with sarcasm, "a childish rabbit fairy interferes with the brew."
His words hung in the air, sharp but measured, like a blade wrapped in cloth.
Thimble's ears twitched violently. He shot up from his chair in an instant, cloak flaring, steam rising around him as though the room itself recoiled from his energy. He climbed onto the chair, standing tall with hands planted firmly on his waist. His seal pulsed erratically, flickering like sparks. His eyes blazed with indignation, his lips curved into a defiant grin.
"You're the one who interferes!" he shouted, his voice high and sharp, echoing against the griefstone walls. "I have more experience than you!"
His chest puffed out, his ears flicked like banners, his stance theatrical—half warrior, half child throwing a tantrum.
Illan's jaw tightened, his brows furrowed deeper, his lips pressed into a thin line. His seal pulsed faintly, steady but edged with irritation. He leaned forward slightly, his gaze sharp, his voice low but firm.
"You call that experience?" he muttered, his tone heavy with disdain. "Chaos is not wisdom."
The air thickened. The fire crackled louder, shadows deepened, steam curled heavier. The tension between them was palpable, their seals pulsing in discord, clashing faintly in the air. Ivy's eyes widened, her lips parted, her seal flickered nervously.
Then, Tieran moved.
He had been silent, seated near the center, his cloak draped loosely, his seal pulsed faintly. His jaw was tight, his eyes narrowed, his breath steady. Suddenly, he slammed his teacup onto the table.
The sound cracked through the hall like thunder. Porcelain struck wood, rattling bowls, sending a sharp vibration across the table. Steam jolted upward, the fire seemed to hush for a moment, the griefstone walls pulsed faintly in response.
Tieran's aura surged.
It was heavy, suffocating, murderous. His seal glowed darkly, his eyes sharpened into a glare that cut through the air. His jaw clenched, his shoulders squared, his breath steady but edged with fury. The atmosphere shifted instantly—warmth replaced by a chilling weight, silence pressing down like a storm.
Thimble froze. His ears twitched once, then stilled. His grin faltered, his lips parted, his seal flickered weakly. He lowered his hands from his waist, his posture shrinking, his eyes darting nervously toward Tieran. Slowly, he sank back into his chair, cloak trailing, his voice swallowed by silence.
Illan's brows lifted faintly, his lips pressed into a thin line. His seal pulsed softly, subdued. He leaned back, folding his arms, his gaze lowered. His voice was gone, replaced by quiet compliance.
The hall exhaled into silence. The fire crackled softly again, steam curled upward, the griefstone walls pulsed faintly. Ivy's eyes lingered on Tieran, her lips parted, her seal flickered faintly. She sensed the weight of his aura, the sharp edge of his fury, but also the steadiness beneath it.
Thimble and Illan returned to their bowls, eating silently, their movements slow and deliberate, as though afraid to disturb the air. Their seals pulsed faintly, subdued, their voices gone.
Tieran's hand lingered on the teacup, his fingers curled tightly around it. His jaw relaxed slowly, his eyes softened faintly, his seal dimmed back to calm. He exhaled, his breath steady, his aura receding like a tide.
The murderous weight dissolved, leaving only warmth and silence.
Ivy sat with her cloak draped loosely, her braid falling forward, strands framing her face. Her fingers curled around the bowl, the warmth seeping into her palms. She lifted the spoon slowly, her eyes lowered, her lips pressed together.
But inside, laughter bubbled.
She held it tightly, her shoulders trembling faintly, her lips twitching as though a smile threatened to break free. Her seal pulsed faintly, flickering with suppressed amusement.
Through the bond, Tieran felt it.
Her imagination spun wildly. She pictured the scene as if it were a soap opera—Tieran cast as the stern stepmother, his aura heavy and commanding, while Thimble and Illan became the unruly stepchildren, bickering endlessly over Moonroot and medicine. The absurdity of it made her want to laugh aloud, but she bit her lip, her eyes sparkling faintly, her breath caught in her throat.
Tieran's spoon stilled. He sat with his cloak draped neatly, his jaw tight, his eyes narrowed. His seal pulsed faintly, steady but edged with irritation. He turned his gaze toward Ivy, his lips pressed into a thin line.
He leaned slightly closer, his voice low, a whisper edged with dry rebuke. "Still in the mood to joke, aren't you?"
His eyes lingered on her, sharp but softened by the bond. His lips curved faintly, his tone clipped but not cruel. "I think you need more realistic things to do… like washing the dishes."
Ivy blinked twice, her lashes fluttering, her eyes widening faintly. Her lips parted, then pressed together again. Her seal flickered softly, her breath caught. She lowered her gaze, her braid slipping forward, her cloak trailing.
She lifted her spoon again, her movements slow, deliberate. She returned to eating as if nothing had happened earlier, her lips curved faintly, her seal pulsed softly. The laughter she had held dissolved into silence, hidden beneath the rhythm of her gestures.
The atmosphere was fragile, alive. Steam curled upward, the scent of porridge mingled with fruits, the fire glowed softly. Ivy's lips curved faintly, her eyes softened, her seal pulsed gently. Tieran's gaze lingered on her, his breath steady, his aura calm once more.
Thimble's ears twitched nervously, his lips pressed into a thin line, his seal pulsed faintly. Illan's brows furrowed, his lips curved faintly, his seal glowed softly.
Together, they ate in silence, the weight of Tieran's aura still lingering faintly in the air, a reminder of the bond that held them all in place.
Then, the door opened.
Orie stepped in first, her cloak trailing, her braid slipping forward, her seal pulsed warmly. She carried a basket brimming with wild fruits—berries glistening like jewels, apples glowing faintly, herbs tucked between them. Her lips curved faintly, her eyes sparkled, her breath steady.
Behind her, Nia followed, her cloak swaying, her seal pulsed softly. She carried another basket, heavier, filled with citrus and wild figs. Her brows lifted, her lips curved faintly, her eyes softened.
Aldi came last, her cloak pooled around her, her braid tangled from the walk, her seal pulsed faintly but steady. She carried a smaller basket, filled with delicate fruits—plums, pears, and sprigs of mint. Her lips curved faintly, her eyes sparkled softly, her breath calm.
The air shifted as they entered. The scent of wild fruits filled the hall, sharp and sweet, dissolving the bitterness of yesterday's medicine. The baskets glowed in the morning light, their colors vivid, their presence alive.
Orie set her basket down on the table with deliberate care, her cloak trailing, her seal pulsed warmly. "Fresh air does wonders," she said softly, her voice edged with calm.
Nia placed hers beside it, her brows lifted, her lips curved faintly. "And fruits dissolve bitterness," she added, her tone edged with humor.
Aldi lowered hers gently, her braid swaying, her lips curved faintly. "Like those days," she murmured, her voice low, tinged with nostalgia.
Ivy's eyes widened faintly, her lips curved softly, her seal pulsed faintly. She leaned forward, her gaze lingering on the baskets, her breath steady. "They're beautiful," she whispered, her tone fragile but alive.
Tieran's eyes softened, his lips curved faintly, his seal pulsed warmly. He passed her another bowl, his hand steady, his voice low. "They went out to bring these," he said gently. "To dissolve the bitterness."
The baskets had just landed on the table—woven reed brimming with color. Berries glistened like jewels, their skins taut and shining. Apples glowed faintly, their red and green hues catching the light. Figs lay heavy, their fragrance rich, while sprigs of mint peeked out between them, fresh and sharp. The air shifted instantly, filled with sweetness, dissolving the lingering bitterness of yesterday's medicine.
Thimble's ears twitched the moment the baskets touched the wood. His eyes widened, sparkling with mischief, his lips curved into a grin. His seal pulsed erratically, flickering like sparks. He leaned forward, cloak flapping, his fingers already darting toward the nearest fruit.
Without hesitation, he plucked a berry, popped it into his mouth, and chewed noisily. His ears flicked back in delight, his eyes closed briefly, his lips curved into a satisfied smile.
"Perfect," he muttered, voice high and sharp, muffled by the fruit.
Aldi's brows lifted faintly, her lips curved into a small smile. She set her basket down with deliberate care, her braid swaying, her seal pulsed softly. Her eyes lingered on Thimble, amusement flickering in her gaze.
"Already?" she said softly, her tone edged with humor.
Nia leaned back, her cloak trailing, her brows arched. Her lips curved faintly, her seal pulsed warmly. She folded her arms, her gaze sharp but playful.
"Of course," she murmured. "He can't wait even a heartbeat."
Orie chuckled, her braid slipping forward, her seal pulsed warmly. She reached into her basket, lifting a sprig of mint, her lips curved faintly.
"Let him," she said gently. "His chaos makes everything taste stronger."
Thimble ignored them, his grin widening. He climbed halfway onto his chair, cloak flaring, ears twitching wildly. His hands darted into the basket again, pulling out an apple. He bit into it with exaggerated force, juice spilling faintly down his chin. He wiped it away with the back of his hand, his eyes sparkling, his seal pulsed erratically.
"See?" he shouted, his voice high and sharp. "The fruits dissolve bitterness! Aldi was right!"
Illan, seated nearby, sighed heavily. His brows furrowed, his lips pressed into a thin line, his seal pulsed faintly. He lifted his spoon, stirring his porridge slowly, his gaze sharp but resigned.
"You'll dissolve the basket before anyone else tastes it," he muttered dryly.
Tieran's jaw tightened, his eyes narrowed faintly, his seal pulsed steadily. He set his cup down with deliberate care, his gaze lingering on Thimble. His lips pressed into a thin line, his breath steady.
"Eat quietly," he said softly, his voice low but edged with warning.
The atmosphere shifted again. The heaviness of yesterday—the bitter medicine, the exhaustion, the quiet sadness—began to dissolve. Laughter rose softly, voices overlapping, seals pulsing warmly.
Orie chuckled, her braid swaying, her lips curved faintly. "Thimble, don't eat all the berries before we serve them."
Thimble's ears twitched, his grin widened, his seal flickered brightly. "I'm just testing them!" he shouted, his voice high, his tone playful.
Illan sighed, his brows furrowed, his lips curved faintly. "Testing means half the basket gone," he muttered dryly.
Nia laughed softly, her eyes sparkled, her seal pulsed warmly. "Let him. His chaos makes the medicine stronger, remember?"
Aldi's laughter rang through the hall, her braid swayed, her seal glowed faintly. "True. Balance through discord."
Ivy sat quietly, her cloak draped loosely, her braid falling forward, strands framing her face. Her fingers curled around her bowl, her lips pressed into a faint line. Her eyes lingered on the baskets of fruit, on the laughter spilling across the table.
She felt left out.
Her seal pulsed faintly, flickering with unease. Her breath caught, her shoulders trembled faintly. She lowered her gaze, her lips pressed tighter.
Through the bond, Tieran sensed it. His jaw tightened, his eyes softened faintly, his seal pulsed steadily. He turned his gaze toward her, his lips parted slightly, ready to speak.
But before he could say anything, Ivy moved.
She pushed her chair back with sudden force, the wood scraping against the floor. Her cloak flared as she stood, her braid swaying wildly. Her eyes sparkled faintly, her lips curved into a mischievous grin.
She climbed onto the table, her steps deliberate, her seal pulsed brightly. Steam curled around her, fruits glistened beneath her feet, the firelight painted her cloak in gold.
She spread her arms wide, her voice rising, clear and sharp, echoing against the griefstone walls.
"Everyone!" she shouted. "I exist too! Give some attention to this beautiful lady!"
Her words rang through the hall, bold and playful, dissolving the silence that had lingered in her heart.
The room froze for a heartbeat. Aldi's brows lifted, her lips parted faintly, her seal pulsed softly. Nia's eyes widened, her lips curved into a reluctant smile, her seal flickered warmly. Orie's braid slipped forward, her lips curved faintly, her seal glowed softly.
Thimble's ears twitched violently, his grin widened, his seal pulsed erratically. Illan's brows furrowed, his lips curved faintly, his seal pulsed faintly. Tieran's jaw tightened, his eyes softened, his seal glowed faintly.
Then, laughter erupted.
Ivy stepped down from the table, her cloak trailing, her braid swaying. Her lips curved faintly, her eyes sparkled, her seal pulsed warmly. She landed softly, her feet steady, her breath alive.
Before she could move further, everyone rose.
Aldi's cloak swayed as she stepped forward, her arms opening, her seal pulsed warmly. Nia leaned in, her lips curved faintly, her seal glowed softly. Orie's braid slipped forward as she reached out, her seal pulsed warmly.
Thimble darted in, ears twitching wildly, his grin wide, his seal flickered brightly. Illan sighed but moved closer, his arms folding briefly before opening, his seal pulsed faintly.
Tieran stepped last, his cloak trailing, his jaw relaxed, his eyes softened, his seal glowed faintly.
They embraced her.
Arms wrapped around Ivy, cloaks brushing, seals pulsing in rhythm. The warmth of their bodies pressed close, laughter mingled with breath, the scent of fruits and porridge filling the air. Ivy's eyes closed, her lips curved faintly, her seal pulsed brightly.
The group hug was alive—chaotic, tender, fragile. Thimble's ears twitched against her shoulder, Aldi's braid brushed her cheek, Nia's laughter rang softly, Orie's warmth enveloped her, Illan's sigh lingered faintly, Tieran's steadiness anchored her.
The hall exhaled. Golden light spilled across the floor, steam curled upward, the fire glowed softly. Their seals pulsed together, weaving threads of bond, dissolving the heaviness of yesterday.
Ivy's heart steadied, her breath alive, her laughter hidden but glowing. She was not left out. She was part of them—woven into twilight, embraced in warmth.
The group hug dissolved slowly, like mist fading into sunlight. Cloaks brushed against one another as they stepped back, seals dimming from their shared pulse into calmer rhythms. The warmth lingered in the air, laughter echoing faintly against the griefstone walls.
They returned to their places around the table. Bowls clinked softly, chairs creaked, steam curled upward from porridge and fruits. The fire crackled steadily, its glow painting shadows across the wooden floor.
Aldi settled gracefully, her braid swaying as she lowered herself into her chair. Her lips curved faintly, her eyes sparkled softly, her seal pulsed warmly. She glanced around the table, her voice low but alive.
"What a cute family," she said gently, her tone edged with affection.
Nia leaned back, her cloak trailing, her brows lifted faintly. Her lips curved into a smile, her seal pulsed softly. She folded her arms, her gaze lingering on Ivy, then on Tieran.
"May this happiness last forever," she murmured, her voice calm but tinged with hope.
Orie nodded beside her, her braid slipping forward, her lips curved faintly. Her seal glowed softly, her voice low but steady.
"Yes," she said simply. "Forever."
Tieran sat quietly, his cloak draped loosely, his jaw relaxed. His eyes softened faintly, his seal pulsed steadily. A faint smile curved his lips. It was small, almost hidden, but alive.
Ivy's eyes sparkled faintly, her lips curved mischievously. She leaned forward, her braid swaying, her cloak trailing. Her seal pulsed brightly, her voice rose, playful and clear.
"So," she asked, tilting her head, "can I skip that cultivation pose again—the one I did yesterday?"
Her tone was teasing, edged with hope, her eyes wide with anticipation.
Tieran's gaze lingered on her, his lips curved faintly into a smirk. His seal pulsed softly, his voice low but edged with humor.
"Yes," he said simply. "You can."
Ivy's eyes widened, her lips parted into a grin. She jumped slightly in her seat, her cloak flaring, her braid bouncing. Her seal pulsed brightly, her laughter rang softly.
"Really?" she shouted, her voice high and alive.
But Tieran's smirk deepened. His jaw tightened faintly, his eyes narrowed with mischief. His seal pulsed steadily, his voice low but edged with dry humor.
"But," he continued, "you'll do the dishes."
The laughter on Ivy's face vanished instantly. Her lips pressed into a thin line, her brows furrowed faintly, her seal flickered softly. She sank back into her chair, her cloak trailing, her braid slipping forward.
Her voice was low, edged with resignation. "Fine," she muttered. "I'll just cultivate."
Orie leaned forward, her braid slipping forward, her lips curved into a mischievous smile. Her seal pulsed warmly, her eyes sparkled faintly. She reached across the table, her voice low but edged with humor.
"I was just teasing you," she said softly. "You don't actually need to do that pose to cultivate."
Ivy's mouth dropped open. Her spoon clattered faintly against the bowl, steam rising around her. Her eyes widened, her lips parted, her seal flickered brightly.
"What?" she gasped, her voice sharp, edged with disbelief.
Aldi chuckled softly, her braid swaying, her lips curved faintly. Her seal pulsed warmly, her eyes lingered on Tieran, then on Ivy. She lifted her hand, her voice calm but edged with humor.
"Well," she said gently, "it does delay the poison in Tieran's body. He won't have pain for a couple of days."
Ivy's brows furrowed, her lips pressed into a thin line. Her seal flickered faintly, her voice rose, sharp and confused.
"But why did I need to cultivate that way?" she asked, her tone edged with frustration.
Nia leaned back, her cloak trailing, her lips curved faintly. Her seal pulsed softly, her eyes sparkled with mischief. She folded her arms, her voice low but playful.
"She was just kidding with you," she said simply, her tone edged with amusement.
Ivy's shoulders trembled faintly, her lips pressed tighter, her eyes narrowed. Her seal flickered brightly, her voice rose, sharp and indignant.
"This is clear bullaying!" she shouted, her tone edged with playful outrage.
Illan's brows lifted faintly, his lips curved into a small smile. His seal pulsed softly, his eyes lingered on Ivy, his voice silent but amused.
Thimble's ears twitched wildly, his grin widened, his seal flickered brightly. He leaned forward, his cloak flapping, his eyes sparkling with mischief.
Both of them smiled, their seals pulsing in rhythm, their amusement alive.
Tieran sat quietly, his cloak draped loosely, his jaw relaxed. His eyes softened faintly, his seal pulsed steadily. He watched silently, his lips curved faintly, his breath steady.
He did not speak, but his gaze lingered on Ivy, his aura calm, his presence alive.
The hall exhaled. Steam curled upward, fruits glistened in the baskets, the fire glowed softly. Their seals pulsed together, weaving threads of bond, dissolving the heaviness of yesterday.
Ivy's laughter lingered faintly, Orie's teasing sparkled, Aldi's calm steadied, Nia's humor glowed, Illan's smile softened, Thimble's mischief flickered, Tieran's silence anchored.
It was fragile. It was alive. It was theirs.