Chapter 12: Family BondsMy brother’s house was in the outer reaches of Mithil, which meant it was a short walk after the bridge. While royal guards patrolled the streets, they were mostly decorative, more concerned with card games than who was going where.
The streets themselves were different too. Aria wasn’t the only Pact Mage, as a few shared her gemlike eyes. Occasionally someone would point at Aria, but with the same tone as if she was wearing a particularly nice dress. The winter city did indeed never sleep.
Aria had her arms wrapped around me as we made our way to my brother’s home. For the first time in a long time, I saw a relaxed smile on her face as we walked. She wasn’t taking in the sights, nor was she trying to keep us safe. She was unapologetically happy to have her arms w
