Silence stretched between them as they walked side by side. Upon stepping into the dining hall, Asher and Annabelle saw William and Finch already devouring their meals as though they had been starved for days.
Unlike before, when the Baron and his wife would join them at the table, both were absent this morning, an understandable absence, considering the amount of work that awaited them after the Monster Tide.
"Hey, Asher, you're finally out of your room," Finch said without looking up. He didn't need to; he could already sense that the presence belonged to Asher.
"Good morning," William greeted, his black eyes lifting slightly before trailing between Asher and Annabelle. With a calm smile, he returned to his meal. Asher could already tell what ridiculous thought was forming in William's head, but he didn't bother to correct him. He simply didn't have the strength to indulge in pointless banter this early.
