'What was she thinking?'
Atticus threw questioning glances at Anastasia again and again, but she ignored every single one, calmly setting the food around the table as though she couldn't feel his eyes burning into her back.
Around him, Avalon, Magnus, Aurora, Caldor, and Ember sat quietly in their seats, the atmosphere thick enough that even Caldor occasionally sent him pitying looks. It was as though every one of them understood the significance of this mont far too well.
Still, Atticus found that his attention kept drifting back to Anorah.
He had no idea what effect Zoey's presence would have on her already fragile nerves, and the thought alone made his brow crease as he studied Anorah's still figure beside him.
'She's okay… right?'
"So, Anorah, yeah?" Aurora said suddenly, squinting at her, "What's your problem?"
"My… problem?" Anorah blinked, montarily caught off guard.
"Well," Aurora shrugged, unbothered, "there's gotta be sothing wrong for you to end up with him."
Atticus shot Aurora a glare, but she only t it with a smug, almost proud expression, as though she'd scored so silent victory.
"Hey, don't mind her. That's just the jealousy talking," Caldor cut in smoothly, brushing his hair back with his arm as he straightened.
"You see, the Ravenstein n were blessed by the gods themselves. Naturally handso. Devastatingly charming. Atticus and I, obviously, are pri examples."
"What are you even saying?" Aurora snorted. "You're ugly as fuck. Isn't that why no woman's ever stayed with you?"
Caldor's smile twitched, but he held it together, squaring his shoulders and continuing to stare at Anorah as though the insult hadn't landed.
"You see?" he said calmly. "Jealous."
"Caldor… ugly."
The words ca abruptly from Ember, who hadn't even looked up from the food, staring at it intently.
Caldor's face flushed red almost instantly as he turned toward his sister, staring at her like she'd just driven a blade straight into his back.
Aurora burst into laughter and smiles appeared across Atticus and the others faces. Atticus found himself easing slightly when he noticed Anorah stifle her own laughter beside him.
"You betrayed ," Caldor said hoarsely. "My own sister."
Ember blinked slowly, then turned her head toward him.
"But… Caldor ugly."
Aurora's laughter only intensified, striking her chest repeatedly as she pointed at Caldor, whose face had gone as ripe as a tomato.
It wasn't until Anastasia finally took her seat that the laughter gradually died down.
The dinner that followed passed in silence, partly due to Anastasia's strict no speaking rule while eating, and partly because, despite the earlier laughter, the tension hadn't eased in the slightest. While the others had found monts to laugh, Zoey remained quiet throughout it all. Atticus hadn't expected any reaction from her, yet he couldn't stop himself from wondering what she was feeling.
As a god, he could have reached out and sensed her emotions easily, but he held himself back. After everything, the least he could do was respect her privacy.
'Everyone's so quiet.'
By the ti dinner was practically over and Anastasia had taken the plates into the kitchen after firmly refusing any help, the table fell into an even heavier silence.
He hadn't expected Magnus or Ember, of all people, to break it, but the others were different entirely, and Atticus could feel Anorah growing more tense with every passing second.
'She's probably starting to think they don't like her.'
He threw a look toward Caldor, then Aurora, silently urging either of them to say sothing, but Aurora rely glared back at him like he was challenging her, while Caldor visibly panicked and hastily produced a mirror, inspecting his face for any sign of imperfection. Atticus didn't even bother turning toward Zoey.
Soon, and to his relief, Anastasia returned. "I hope the dinner was to your liking, honey?"
"Ah… yes, the food is just amazing, Mrs. Ra—" Anorah paused when Anastasia squinted at her, then quickly cleared her throat. "…Anastasia."
Anastasia's expression softened into a bright smile.
"I'm glad you liked it. Anyway…" she continued, glancing briefly at Atticus, "he refused to tell us anything about you except that you're perfect."
Atticus caught the pointed look she sent his way and could only offer an awkward smile in response.
"So," Anastasia said warmly, turning back to Anorah, "why don't you tell us a little about yourself, honey?"
"Em… okay…" Anorah said, her thumbs brushing against each other beneath the table in a small, repetitive motion. "I grew up knowing only my father," she said after a mont. "He was a… firm man. Very serious about making sure I could take care of myself if the need ever ca up. That ant a lot of training growing up, but… it worked out in the end."
"My goodness," Anastasia murmured. "Your father must have been very strong-willed to put a child through all that…"
Anorah let out a light, almost fond laugh. "Ah, yes, he is. Actually…" she looked toward Magnus, "he reminds a lot of Grandpa Magnus. Strong. Reliable. The kind of person you know will always have your back."
Magnus didn't respond verbally, but Atticus noticed the subtle lift of his chin and the quiet approval in his eyes. Avalon, on the other hand, frowned at his father's reaction.
""Hm. What about ?" Avalon asked, leaning forward a little. "I'm sure I remind you of soone too."
"You… hmm…" Anorah tilted her head, considering it. "Ah! Yes. You remind a lot of one of my generals."
Avalon imdiately straightened.
"He's very impulsive," she continued carefully, "quick to act, and more likely to charge straight into foe lines than stop to think things through."
"Pfft—!"
Caldor burst into laughter, pointing at Avalon as his expression twisted.
"She said you don't think!"
"Ah… no, no! That's not what I ant!" Anorah said quickly, turning toward Avalon in a panic as she waved her hands. "I didn't an it like that at all!"
"That's enough, Caldor," Anastasia's glare silencing Clador instantly before she turned back to Anorah with a gentle smile.
"Your father sounds like a wonderful man, honey," she said softly. "So… where is he now? Is he back on… Asterra?"
'Shit.'
Atticus' quickly looked at Anorah as her arms curled tightly beneath the table. He knew how sensitive she was about her father's death, and he couldn't bla anyone but himself.
He should have told Anastasia beforehand.
Without a word, he reached out and took Anorah's hand, holding it firmly as she spoke.
"That's… h-he's no longer in this world."
Anastasia's eyes were imdiately filled with guilt. "Oh my… I'm so sorry, honey. I didn't know."
Anorah slowly shook her head.
"It's alright. His death won't be permanent. I plan on bringing him back."
"Good," Magnus said, fixing his gaze fixed on Anorah as he gave a slow nod.
Atticus soon felt Anastasia's sharp stare and let out a quiet sigh. He already knew she'd lecture him about this later.
The atmosphere shifted completely after that, and it wasn't long before the dinner ca to an end. Atticus escorted Anorah outside, where they spoke briefly before she left. When he returned to the house, he paused just inside the doorway, finding everyone staring at him. Zoey stood at the far back.
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