The Birthday Present

Alaric drove Vespera to the Pendleton residence. As soon as they arrived, Vespera waved goodbye, saying, "Thanks for the lift, Alaric. I'm off to see Aurora now."

Before Alaric could respond, Vespera had already walked away.

Watching her departing figure, Alaric felt a pang of loss. Perhaps she too saw him as a coward, always avoiding and evading him.

Vespera went to meet Aurora, who had just returned and was yet to join the party. Aurora grabbed Vespera's hand, examining her palm with concern. "How is it? Is it serious?"

Aurora had heard from Lysander that Alaric, in a drunken frenzy, had hurt Vespera. Given their frequent meetings, Aurora was hard to deceive.

"It's nothing," Vespera reassured, shaking her head. "Just a bit inconvenient since I can't get it wet."

Aurora pulled her to sit down, sighing, "Next time Alaric starts trouble over Elowen when he's drunk, don't intervene. It's not worth getting hurt, and they don't care."

Vespera leaned in, smiling. "I know, you care about me