[Ace's POV]
Group hugs weren't my thing. Never had been. But Ray had pulled us together, and for a moment—just a moment—I'd let myself be part of it. Because for one breathless second, everything felt right.
Gale was alive. That was what mattered.
I'd done everything I could earlier to comfort Ovelia—held her from behind, rubbed her back, whispered whatever words might reach through her grief. Nothing had worked. She'd kept crying, kept shaking, kept falling apart in my arms.
Now, watching her smile again, seeing the light return to her red eyes… I felt something loosen in my chest.
"Everyone." Gale's voice cut through the moment, flat and irritated. "It's been a minute. I can't breathe. And my wings are starting to tickle."
We pulled apart, the group hug dissolving into awkward shuffling and adjusted clothes. Ann smoothed her tunic with quick, embarrassed movements. Ray stretched his arms above his head. Gale straightened his collar with pointed dignity.
