Given what they had come home as, given what Kell had done to Rhy, it wasn't far of a stretch, but parents could only be pushed so far.

Kell braced himself against the wall, providing a steady support for her to lean against. It was late, the air cool but calm, the single flame of the ever-burning candle reflecting off of the inky black of his eye.

With a deep, slow sigh, he let go of it all to look down at their joined hands, and along their connection, she'd feel the ache, the bittersweetness of seeing her again, knowing it came at a high cost, of the enormous relief that came of forgiveness, even if it prickled at the guilt, given that he had not fully forgiven himself.

"I'm happy to see you again, Neria."