Chapter Twenty Three
Moonlight & Mother’s Wisdom The laughter had faded. The lanterns were dimmed, the sweet scent of sugar and spice lingering like a lullaby in the still air. The Heart of It All sat in peaceful silence, only the occasional flicker of a spell-light dancing over the walls as Althea, Nerissa, and Bryn cleaned up the last traces of the celebration. Plates floated into the sink, tea leaves swept themselves into the compost bin, and chairs slid quietly back under the tables. It was the kind of silence only shared by people who loved each other in the quiet way—the way that needed no words. Althea glanced toward the door where Luca had lingered earlier, reluctant to leave even as Bryn teased him for yawning mid-sentence. She smiled to herself. “You’re still glowing,” Nerissa said softly, wip
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