Erend, Aesa, and Eccar stepped through the shimmering portal, and the world shifted around them. Light bent, colors stretched, and the familiar scent blooming flowers washed over them as their feet touched solid ground again.
They had arrived at the Elf Palace.
The back garden unfolded before them in all its ethereal beauty just like the last time they remembered it.
Everything shimmered with soft Magic.
And standing there in the middle of it, waiting beneath the arch of a white blossom tree, was Aurdis.
Erend had reached out to her through telepathy earlier, and she had come immediately. But even so, the moment she saw him, her eyes brimming with happiness.
Her lips spread into a bright smile that held relief, longing, and warmth all at once.
Erend didn't hesitate. He broke into a run, his steps fast and uncontrolled, the tension of everything he carried finally cracking for just a moment.
Aurdis barely had time to open her arms before he swept her into a tight embrace.
