Her brothers were immediately there as though summoned, pulling her away from Lucien, and into the crowd with cheers and prideful ruffling of hair.
"That was amazing!" Jared whooped. "You actually didn't trip over your own feet!"
"Not even once," Lance added, impressed.
"I did five years ago," Felix admitted, rubbing the memory of his scraped knee. "Twice."
Lucien, however, was watching Caelith. Not smiling. Not clapping. Just...watching.
Seraphina stepped forward and placed a protective hand on Evelisse's shoulder. "Let's allow the children a rest. You've all earned it."
"But I'm not even tired, mommy," Evelisse whispered.
"You look like your brain is running laps," Seraphina replied softly.
She wasn't wrong.
Caelith said nothing. Just watched her go, one hand lightly folded behind his back, the other holding the tassel of his ceremonial sash.
As they walked, Evelisse's hands trembled. Her fingers dug into her skirt.
