The great dining hall glowed softly under the chandelier's golden light.
Daphne sat beside her husband at the head of the table, her place now by right and by devotion.
Alaric's hand rested casually but firmly on her thigh beneath the table, his thumb tracing slow, absent circles as he listened to the conversation around them.
Her family filled the seats below: Aidan with Emmaand little Ben, bright-eyed and curious, eating beside his mother, Finn and Lianna sitting close together, their baby had long fallen asleep, cradled by a nurse nearby.
The Duchess, Daphne's mother, leaned forward with a fond smile. "My darling, tell me truthfully, how have you been feeling? Are you eating well? Sleeping?"
"I've been well, Mother. Just a little more tired these days, but nothing I can't manage."
Lianna laughed lightly. "I still can't believe it. I dismissed every rumor, telling anyone who asked that surely you'd have told me if it were true!"
