A few days later, inside the obsidian-fanged halls of Vexena's towering fortress...
The black-marble throne room shimmers with eldritch light as a swirling, violet portal opens in midair. Veena stands before it, dressed sharply in a travel tunic of deep crimson, her long white hair fluttering from the residual magic crackling at the portal's edge. Vexena and Virelle are already there, arms open.
"Oh, do you have to go?" Virelle clings to her leg like a cat refusing to be bathed.
Veena chuckles, patting her head. "I promised Vuvi I'd be back by today. She gets twitchy when I'm late. I'll come visit soon, I promise."
"You better!" Virelle pouts dramatically, stomping one small foot. "I'll be so mad. You won't hear the end of it! I'll curse your books!"
Vexena, regal even in her silk morning robe, gives Veena one last lingering hug, her voice soft against her daughter's hair. "I'm just happy to have you back in my life. After everything."
