The rest of the evening passed in relative quiet. Aedric and Selene seemed satisfied with Elias's agreement, though their determination to "grow stronger" still burned in their eyes.
They pulled Elias into their usual routine of chatter and games, keeping him close as though afraid he might vanish if they let him out of their sight.
Elias found himself laughing along with them, his earlier tears forgotten for the moment. Their energy was infectious, and he couldn't help but feel a little lighter in their presence.
But as the night wore on and the children finally drifted off to sleep, Elias found himself sitting alone by the window, staring out at the starry sky. His thoughts turned once more to the original story, to the intense bond between Aedric and Selene that had defined their lives.
