After dinner, Richard retired to spend some private time with his daughters. Ares, Ephraim, and Malachi settled into the quiet of the evening, sharing a final glass of wine before the day's end. Nazneen had stepped away earlier, and her absence was beginning to stretch.
"I think I'll retreat for the night," Ares announced, setting his cup aside. A teasing glint sparkled in his eyes as he turned to Ephraim and Malachi. "Since you'll both be without your ladies tonight, feel free to share a room."
The jest elicited a couple of smiles. Their personalities being poles apart made the suggestion even more amusing.
Retreating to his room, Ares wondered if Nazneen had inadvertently dozed off. The responsibilities of her new role seemed to weigh heavily on her.
