Night gently over the Echoborn ruins.
The silver fire had blazed during the forging of the Accord now softened into a warm glow, like embers resting after a storm. the forest once tense with shadow, exhaled. Crickets resumed their song. leaves rustled with a calmer wind. Aria stood at the center of the ruins, her flame dimmed to a soft pulse. The triplets lingered nearby, close enough to touch, but giving her space-or perhaps giving themselves space to understand what had just happened.
For the first time since she'd met them the air between them wasn't charged with confilct.
It was quiet.
It was tender.
It was new.
Damon was the first to speak, voice low, almost shy-a tone she had never heared from him. "I don't know what to do with this feeling."
Aria turned towards him, her flame
