Adrian appeared next, blond hair glinting in the morning light, his usual warmth already cutting through the tension. He carried his battle axe slung casually over his shoulder, though there was no reason to. It was just… who he was.
Liliana followed close, her hair tied back, bright eyes darting between them with easy amusement. "You two still arguing about that? It's been a year."
"Because he's still wrong," Nathan muttered.
Merlin's lips twitched faintly. It wasn't quite a smile, but close.
The group gathered one by one, familiar presences filling the quiet courtyard. Seraphina with her calm, collected grace; Ethan with his eternal air of boredom; Dorian with his silent, unreadable stare; and finally, Elara.
Her silver hair caught the dawn light like liquid metal. She didn't say anything when she arrived, just walked past the others and stopped beside Merlin. The faint scent of earth and rain trailed her steps, grounding, constant.
