ELIA
She'd met with her Cohorts to work on last minute details for the Festival of Hearts. The three of them were very comfortable together now, and when they gathered at Candace's or at Aymora's, as they were that evening, it felt to Elia like getting together with her friends from college—comfort, laughter, and sometimes the need for help. They were becoming a true unit, and she was so glad she'd trusted her instincts. Even if Gahrye's maleness created occasionally awkward conversations.
As they finished up that night it was late. They'd come back together after dinner because time was getting short, and since Reth had a meeting, she'd decided to use the hours productively.
The air was chilly and the lanterns lit when they finally left Aymora's cave. The nights were darker, earlier now, and Elia had a beautiful wool shrug one of the Sheep had given her when the season changed. She wore it every day, which made the woman smile.
