Strax removed the Gauntlet of Darkness and placed it on the table near the door with almost ritualistic care. The sound of metal against wood echoed through the room, but for a moment, none of the three moved.
Lithara stepped forward first, as she always did, but instead of jumping straight onto him, she stopped only a few inches from his chest, raised her face, and stared at him with those eyes that glowed like embers.
"You smell like sulfur, blood, and... victory," she murmured, tilting her head. "It's a good smell."
Strax did not answer with words.
Instead, he raised his right hand—the one still free of the gauntlet—and slid his fingers along the side of Lithara's neck, feeling the heat of her skin beneath his fingertips.
She shivered slightly but did not look away.
"Other side," he said, without taking his eyes off her.
Albedo stepped forward hesitantly, but obeyed.
She stood beside Lithara, close enough that their shoulders almost touched—but did not.
