Aelara had cleaned the house twice.
She had not meant to do it twice. She had cleaned it three days ago, properly, the kind of cleaning that happened when something significant was coming and the hands needed something to do while the mind worked through it. Then yesterday she had found herself going through the rooms again, straightening things that did not need straightening, moving a cup from one side of the counter to the other and then moving it back.
Vaelor had watched this without saying anything.
That was the right call and she appreciated it.
This morning she had made herself sit down and stay sitting, which she had managed for approximately twenty minutes before she got up and went to the window to watch the gate.
The letter had said mid-morning.
It was mid-morning now.
"She's not late," Caelum said from behind her.
