Noah turned back to his mother, his boots shifting quietly on the worn floorboards as he took a deliberate step away from Amelia.
The space between him and Evangeline suddenly felt much smaller, the heavy, suffocating distance that had separated them just minutes ago completely evaporating under the warm glow of the magic he had just displayed.
He closed his fingers, burying his empty palm into the fold of his trousers, and began walking toward her.
His posture was straighter now, the invisible weight that usually made him slouch in her presence completely gone, replaced by the quiet dignity of someone who had finally proven his worth.
Before he could say anything, though, the distance between them vanished entirely.
Evangeline didn't wait for him to craft an explanation or offer a formal speech.
She lunged forward with a sudden, desperate speed that caught him completely off guard, her arms throwing themselves around his neck with a fierce, trembling strength.
