The dining hall was already lit when Aire entered. For some reason, she was always the last to walk in.

Golden light spilled from the chandeliers above, reflecting softly against polished marble floors and the long stretch of dark oak that dominated the center of the room. The table was set with precision—silverware aligned, glasses untouched, and plates waiting.

Everything looked beautiful without comfort.

Aire paused at the entrance.

Her fingers tightened slightly against the fabric of her dress before she forced them to relax. Her expression smoothed over, composed, and controlled.

She hasn’t been able to relax since she woke up. She feared words might get to the next person about her fae blood, and any moment from now, she’d be killed.

She stepped inside.

The sound of her heels against the floor echoed faintly, drawing attention before she even reached the table.

King Elijah sat at the head, unmoving. His presence was as heavy as ever. To his right sat Xanden, his posture straight, and gaze lowered to something in front of him. He was staring at documents.

To the left, Nate sat.

His head lifted the moment she stepped in. His eyes found her immediately, and held it. There was no warmth in them. Only irritation.

She walked forward, steady, ignoring the way her pulse picked up slightly under that gaze.

Alaric sat further down the table.

He looked up as she approached. And unlike the others, he didn’t look through her. He looked at her.

A small, almost imperceptible shift softened his expression.

Aire felt it. His presence steadied her.

She reached her seat. No one greeted her. No one acknowledged her arrival.

Aire pulled the chair back quietly and sat down. Silence settled over the table the moment she sat down.

Servants moved in and out of the space with careful precision, placing dishes one by one. The scent of roasted meat and herbs filled the air, but it did nothing to ease the tension curling beneath Aire’s skin.

She kept her gaze forward.

"Late." The word cut through the silence.

Aire didn’t need to look to know who it came from.

Nate.

Her fingers stilled lightly against the edge of the table.

"I was caught up with looking presentable. There was no one around to help," she replied calmly.

There was a faint shift across the table.

Xanden’s gaze lifted slightly.

Nate’s lips curved into a mean smile. "You speak more than necessary for someone who contributes so little," Nate said.

Aire turned her head slightly then, just enough to meet his gaze. She saw that deliberate attempt to provoke her in his gaze.

She held his gaze for a second. Then, she looked away.

Nate’s jaw tightened almost imperceptibly.

Xanden set something down quietly beside him.

"You having no maid has nothing to do with us," he said, his voice smooth, measured. "Be worthy as a Luna, and they will come running."

Aire’s gaze flickered toward him.

He didn’t look at her directly.

"I don’t recall asking for any of this," she replied.

This time, he did look at her. "Careful," Xanden said quietly.

Aire’s lips pressed together faintly. Before she could respond again, a subtle shift beside her.

She felt unexpected warmth. Her hand rested lightly against the table, as her fingers relaxed.

Alaric’s hand brushed against hers and that small act caused her to relax. His fingers had grazed hers as he reached for something.

But the moment their skin met, they both felt a spark.

A sharp, sudden jolt that ran through her fingertips and up her arm, settling somewhere deep in her chest.

Aire froze.

Her breath caught for the briefest second. Her gaze dropped instantly to their hands.

Alaric stilled too. His fingers didn’t pull away immediately.

For half a second, they both felt it.

Then he withdrew slightly. His gaze shifted toward her and for the first time that evening, he smiled at her.

A quiet, low chuckle left him under his breath, barely audible.

Aire blinked.

The tension in her chest eased slightly, replaced with something she didn’t immediately recognize.

A small smile curved at her lips, unintended yet soft.

It lingered for only a moment before she lowered her gaze again.

King Elijah noticed the little interaction. His eyes moved between them slowly, observing them.

Nate noticed too.

The shift in his posture was subtle. He made a sharp shift that was also dangerous.

"What was that?" His voice held an accusation at the edge.

Aire didn’t look at him. "Nothing," she replied.

Alaric leaned back slightly in his chair, unbothered. "Accidents happen," he said lightly.

Nate’s gaze snapped to him. "That didn’t look like an accident."

Alaric met his gaze evenly. "And yet... it was."

The tension thickened instantly.

Xanden watched the exchange silently.

Aire remained still.

Her pulse hadn’t fully settled yet.

That spark still lingered. It was currently faint but still present and unsettling in a way she couldn’t explain.

"Focus on your meal," King Elijah said finally.

His tone was calm, but it carried weight.

The table fell silent again. Mabel smirked secretly. Soon, utensils moved, and food was served.

The rest of the meal passed in fragments of quiet tension.

Xanden returned to his composed silence, though his gaze flickered toward Aire more than once.

Alaric didn’t speak much either.

His hand brushed hers again now and then, enjoying the spark with a boyish grin. He simply wished to remind her that she hadn’t imagined it.

Aire didn’t react this time but her fingers curled slightly against the table.

When the meal ended, chairs moved back one by one.

The sound echoed softly through the hall.

Aire rose with the rest of them.

King Elijah stood last. His gaze lingered on her briefly, long enough to be intentional.

"You will attend tomorrow’s council," he said. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

It wasn’t a question.

Aire held his gaze. Then nodded once. "I will."

Something unreadable passed through his expression. Aire swallowed, as if she understood him.

He turned and left almost immediately.

The room shifted again as his presence disappeared.

One by one, they followed behind him.

Nate stood. His gaze brushed over Aire once more before he turned away without a word.

Xanden paused briefly beside her, not close enough to be familiar but not distant either.

"You are using Alaric," he said quietly.

Aire glanced at him.

"I don’t have much of a choice."

Xanden paused, shocked. by her confession. "You might be my mate but that doesn’t mean you’re not entirely above punishment, Breeder."

And with that, he walked past her, leaving her with that thought.

Alaric lingered last.

Aire didn’t turn immediately but she could feel him there.

"You’re shaking." He said softly.

Her breath stilled slightly. "I’m not," she replied.

"You are." His voice came out softer.

She exhaled slowly. Her fingers relaxed at her sides. "It’s nothing."

Alaric didn’t argue. He stepped slightly closer, but not enough to crowd her. "Then let it stay nothing," he said.

He sounded so gentle and safe.

Aire turned her head slightly then. Their eyes met and that same quiet warmth lingered there.

Then, she stepped away because she knew better.

Mabel raised a brow at the interaction, then walked away.