The River House garden had never looked this peaceful.
White flowers climbed the wooden arch overlooking the river, their petals stirring gently in the afternoon breeze. Greenery bordered the stone pathway, while rows of simple wooden chairs faced the ceremony space. Small lights had been strung between the trees, waiting for evening to turn them into soft points of gold.
There were no ancient symbols carved into the ground.
No black architecture hidden beneath the grass.
No ominous paintings.
No impossible corridors waiting to open.
Just flowers, sunlight, and friends.
Artemis staff mingled with familiar faces, their conversations blending with the quiet sounds of the river.
Jadelyn fussed over one of the floral arrangements, shifting a cluster of flowers half an inch before stepping back to inspect it. "Better."
Nearby, Tansy watched with a warm smile.
At the edge of the garden, Alistair was doing something considerably less sentimental.
He checked the driveway.
