A Welcome Feast

{Elira}

~**^**~

The brothers led me out to the flower garden behind the house — the warm breeze teased my hair, and the petals brushed my dress as we passed.

At the far end, tucked under the shade of a wide shed woven from bamboo and ivy, a wooden table waited. My steps slowed.

It wasn't just lunch. It was a feast, just as Lennon had emphasized.

A whole turkey, glazed until it gleamed a golden hue. A whole barbecued goat, its skin roasted to perfect crispness. Plates piled high with sides — creamy potatoes, leafy greens, spiced rice.

A basket of fruits, pitchers of fresh juices catching the late sun.

"Just… for the three of us?" I asked softly, halting at the edge of the table.

Lennon's grin widened. "You're worth celebrating, Elira."

Heat rose in my cheeks, but I couldn't help glancing at the empty chair. "Zenon… is he coming to join us?"