Aria stood by the hearth, her arms folded across her chest as she watched Lucien walk over to her.

“I can’t believe she actually came here.” Aria muttered under her breath, her voice barely above a whisper,

“She won’t come to our home again, not after what just happened. Not after she was disgraced.” Lucien replied, his voice low but certain.

“She will,” Aria muttered. She turned and stared at the dancing flames. “I know Lyra, I have watched her grow up, and I know how she thinks. What just happened was probably the worst thing to ever happen to her. She wasn’t just embarrassed, she felt pain. She is...