"Pleasure meeting you, sister-in-law," Ben said, lifting a hand in a small wave.
Ariel froze. Stunned.
Her grip on Edmund tightened slightly.
Sister-in-law? Why would he call her that?
Hazel's gaze flickered to her briefly, then back to Edmund. "Brother… what are you doing?" she asked, disbelief flashing in her eyes.
Edmund's jaw tightened. "That is not for you to ask," he said, his tone void of warmth.
Ben scoffed, folding his arms. "Have you lost your mind? Have you forgotten how important that ritual is to you?"
"Mind your words, Benedict," Edmund snapped, his voice rising just slightly at the edge. "I chose this. And I do not expect anybody… least of all you to understand why."
Ben went still as if the words hit a nerve.
Hazel's gaze drifted to him for a brief second before settling back on Edmund, sharper now. "That was unnecessary," she said, glaring.
"And you should not have come for me in the first place." The words hung heavily in the air.
