Chapter 21 Celebrations, Vows, And New Paths

• The village buzzed with the afterglow of a successful hunt. The air was thick with the rich aroma of roasted Virellin beast meat, and the festive sounds of laughter, music, and storytelling echoed across the clearing. The warriors—Ravnir among them—had returned victorious, bringing with them the prized crystal and horns from the magnificent beast they had slain. Now, they celebrated, honoring the effort and strength it took to bring down such a formidable creature.
• Xueya, standing on the fringes of the gathering, watched Ravnir from across the firelight. Her gaze softened as she took in his broad shoulders, the way his silver hair gleamed in the flickering firelight, and the pride in his eyes as he laughed with the other warriors. There was a sense of calm in his presence that always grounded her, and tonight, it felt even more significant.
• She had woken up that morning with a realization that had left her breathless. It was a quiet knowing, an awareness that bloomed within her, filling every part of her being. She was pregnant. She had spent the early hours of the day in quiet contemplation, unsure of how to approach Ravnir with such monumental news. But now, surrounded by the festivities, she knew the time had come.