The morning of Elina's birthday arrived.
Sharath, soot-stained but gleaming with anticipation, blindfolded her. Their daughter skipped along beside them, giggling uncontrollably.
"Another exploding cake like last year?" Elina teased.
He grinned. "No explosions this time. Only... ascension."
The blindfold came off—and her breath did too.
Before her rose a majestic balloon of crimson and gold silk, bearing their house crest and gently tugging at its moorings. The field shimmered with heat as magical flames lifted the vessel skyward in slow breaths.
"Happy birthday," Sharath said, voice soft.
Elina's hands trembled. "You built... this?"
"For you. For us."
They stepped aboard the basket. With a nod to his assistant and three hovering mages, the tethers released.
And they rose.