The accusation lingered without needing to be pointed out. "Not enough for someone who's been missed terribly," Vaeron said, words like salted butter.
Lord Aurelion cleared his throat, attempting to reclaim the room, but the tension had already shifted, drawn tight between the two of them like a wire ready to snap. "Given circumstances, your timing is about right. Though perhaps, if you acknowledged the weight of your absence over the past decades, we might have reached this discussion far sooner."
The words settled like frost over stone when he concluded. Several gazes flicked toward Vaeron. It was measured, waiting in quiet curiosity and an obvious disdain by a point well made.
His expression remained carved from ice, blatantly unbothered by the unwelcoming gesture he was receiving. "If this summons was meant to revisit old grievances, then I suggest you continue without me."
His brother gave a soft, amused laugh.
