Viya's POV
By the time our entrees arrived, the table was covered with an array of dishes that made my mouth water. Julian reached for the bottle of sparkling pear cider—alcohol-free, light, perfect for the occasion—and poured for both Sophia and me.
We raised our glasses in unison, the crystal catching the light.
"Happy birthday!" they chorused, grinning at me like I was the center of their universe.
My chest felt warm, full in a way that had nothing to do with the food. "Thank you!"
All the frustration from earlier—Lucius's ambush downstairs, his presumptuous invitation, his *audacity*—evaporated like morning mist. I tipped my head back and took a long drink, the sweetness of the cider bright on my tongue.
"Alright, time for presents," Julian announced, reaching into
