By the time Jared and Gwendolyn returned to the Moonshade Realm, it was already deep into the night.

Moonlight filtered through gaps in the black mist, draping the ruins of the ancient city in a muted silver-gray.

At the city gates, Alaric and Lydia were still waiting.

Lydia had a thick coat wrapped around her shoulders. Her face was still pale, but her eyes were bright. The moment she saw Jared, the tension drained from her entire body.

“You’re back,” she said.

Her voice was light, but Jared heard what lay beneath it.

“We’re back.” He nodded.