Back in the palace, prior to this present moment, Lyne had watched as Zeidan played with Aurora and it made her laugh. If anything, she was glad Aurora was able to see her father and that joy seemed to have cured Zeidan somehow. He seemed suddenly agile. Zeidan returned to where he sat before Aurora came in to interrupt the Good Thing, they had going on with Aurora still in his arms as he did so.

“I remember the good old days Lyne,” Zeidan said glancing at her with a smile on his face shortly after sitting down beside her.

“When things used to be very peaceful and all we...