She's standing on the doorstep, one hand on her hip, looking up at Lorenth with that bold challenge that's pure Mira. Chestnut-brown skin glowing in the late afternoon sun, honey-brown eyes bright with mischief, those short springy curls framing her face.
My best friend.
Myonlyfriend for so long.
"Senna!" She barely gets my name out before I crash into her, arms wrapping tight around her shoulders.
She hugs me back just as fiercely, laughing into my hair. "Gods, I've missed you."
"What are you doing here?" I pull back enough to see her face, hands still gripping her shoulders like I'm afraid she'll disappear. "How did you—when did you?—"
"Breathe." She's grinning, eyes suspiciously bright. "I'm here. I'm real. And I'm not going anywhere."
Behind us, Lorenth clears his throat. "I'll... leave you two to catch up."
I glance back at him, catching the small smile playing at the corners of his mouth. The bond pulses with warm amusement and something softer—understanding, maybe. Knowing how much this means to me.
He disappears back into the house, giving us space.
I turn back to Mira, pulling her inside and closing the door. "I can't believe you're here. I wanted to come back, to explain, but?—"
"But you disappeared after your xaphan tore Darian apart." Mira shakes her head, but she's still smiling. "Which I missed, by the way. I was making deliveries and came back to find out I missed the show of a lifetime."
"Mira—"
"Don't." She holds up a hand, expression sobering slightly. "Don't apologize. That bastard deserved everything he got and worse. I'm just sorry I wasn't there to see it."
The casual viciousness in her tone makes something tight in my chest loosen. Shegetsit. Understands why Lorenth did what he did. Why I don't regret it.
"I missed you." The words come out thick. "So much."
"I know." She pulls me into another hug, this one gentler. "I know, Senna. But I'm here now."
We stand there for a moment, just holding each other. Three weeks isn't that long, but it feels like a lifetime since I last saw her. Since I last had this—someone who knew me before everything changed.
"Come on." I pull back, wiping at my eyes. "Come sit. Tell me everything."
I tug her toward the sitting room, gesturing for her to take one of the comfortable chairs near the fireplace. She settles in, looking around the space with open curiosity.
"Nice place." Her gaze catches on the large windows overlooking the city, the carefully chosen furniture, the books scattered on every available surface. "Very... Lorenth."
"He reads." I perch on the edge of the couch. "Constantly. I keep finding books in the strangest places."
"Does he know what shelves are for?"
"I've asked." The dry response makes her laugh, bright and familiar.
Gods, I've missed this. Missedher.
"So." Mira leans back, crossing her legs. "You going to tell me what you've been doing for three weeks, or do I have to guess?"
Heat creeps up my neck. "We've been... settling in. He's shown me the city. Introduced me to his sister. Taken me to his bakeries?—"
"Bakeries?" Her eyebrows shoot up. "Plural?"
"He owns several." I shrug, still getting used to the reality of Lorenth's wealth. "Markets too. He's been teaching me about the business side of things."
"And at night?" The teasing edge to her voice makes me flush darker.
