Shelter from the Storm

Bianca’s fingers whitened around her teacup for a heartbeat before she made herself relax. Pride flickered through her expression, tempered by the hard edge of a mother’s worry. “If anyone can pull it off,” she said softly, “it’s you, son.”

A hush settled over the table. Lyra’s gaze found Kaelen’s across the quiet, her worry plain in her eyes. He met it with steady calm, but the tension in his ja