Victory could almost pretend everything was okay. That they were home at the manor in Limani, sharing a quiet night.
As long as neither of them spoke. Victory broke the silence first. “Are you working tomorrow night?”
Toria kept her stare on the fire before them. “I don’t have to be. Why?”
“I’d like to take you to a restaurant I remember.”
Now her daughter tilted her face toward Victory. “Why?”
“Because I have good memories of it, and I’ve been given this crazy chance to share it with you.”
Silence reigned for a few beats, and some of the tension bled from Toria’s body. “Sure. That’d be fun.”
They managed to speak of inconsequential topics until the fire ran down, and Toria yawned and hauled herself to her feet. “Love you, Mama.” She kissed Victory’s cheek and disappeared upstairs.
