Lirael had been nothing but kind to Eldric, helping him countless times—something he'd never forget.
To him, someone as kind and full of light as her deserved nothing but joy every single day. That was the Lirael he wanted to see: carefree, glowing, unburdened.
The thought of her weighed down by worry, her bright spirit dimmed, drove him crazy. He couldn't stand it.
Thankfully, his reassurances eased some of her tension. As they chatted, they waited patiently for Samai's arrival.
It wasn't until half past eleven at night that Samai finally showed up—hailing a cab instead of letting them pick her up.
Lirael had offered to drive to the airport with Eldric, but Samai refused. Close as she was with Lirael, formalities between them were unnecessary. But Eldric? A near-stranger.
Already, s
