Elowen's POV
I pushed myself upright on the bed and smoothed my expression before he could read it.
"Nothing," I said. "Just tired."
He looked at me for a moment, then pushed off the door frame and moved aside.
I stepped forward, looked up at him, and smiled. "I was starting to wonder if you'd forgotten my Solstice gift."
"Impatient," he said, flat. "Go downstairs for dinner."
I ducked under his arm where he held the door and stepped into the corridor.
He fell into step beside me and I slowed to match his pace, and after a few steps he stopped.
"Elowen."
I turned.
"You're here to spend the Solstice with me." He said it simply, without ceremony. "Not to impress anyone. Not to try to fit in. If you find people your age you can talk to, talk to them. If not, don't trouble yourself.
