Taking Clio's announcement as their cue to give Nicasi and Lysander some much needed space, Nicasi's sisters gathered around him again say their goodbyes.
He tried his hardest to be a good brother and devote his full attention to them as they took turns kissing him on the cheek and promising to visit tomorrow, but now that Lysander was finally there within reach, it was a battle he had no chance of winning.
Especially when Lysander showed up looking like that.
When it was his mother's turn to fuss over him, Nicasi nodded like a diligent son at whatever she was saying, but his eyes returned over and over to the man watching him from across the room. Every time, his heart beat faster.