That night, when they arrived for dinner, Tarik did not join them.
The main hall of the palace, usually alive with soft laughter and old whispers, felt strangely spacious in his absence. The light wood tables gleamed under the suspended light spheres, and the sweet aromas of the food filled the air... but something was missing.
Or someone.
Still, they dined.
Lissana took the head of the table, with Eren by her side, and across from them, Uzziel and Fara exchanged occasional glances, still affected by what had happened during the stroll. No one mentioned Tarik. Nor Leriana or Cassiel. It wasn’t necessary.
When the plates were cleared and the silence settled more naturally than uncomfortably, Lissana spoke:
“Tomorrow we will return,” she said calmly. “In the morning...”
Uzziel looked
