A while later.
The golden-marked door opened with a slow, deliberate creak.
Raven stepped out first, his usual composed stride somehow softer. Lia followed close behind, her cheeks flushed, her hand caught in his like it belonged there. The faint shine of a dark, glowing ring on her finger caught the light of the treasure room's lamps.
The air shifted. Conversations dipped into silence.
Siris leaned back on the gold heap, twirling her dagger lazily. She didn't say anything but stared at Lia with her eyes squinted.
'She better not take my place,' she muttered inwardly, thinking of her spot on Raven's back.
"Well, well… finally made it official, huh?" Rufus spoke from another corner, sitting cross-legged with Jake, supposedly digesting the food they had eaten.
Jessy grinned knowingly. "Took you long enough."
"Squeak!" Nibbles pointed like he'd just won a bet.
