Chapter 22 Twenty-one

• His presence was calming, his words meant to defuse the situation. He crouched slightly to meet Avelyn's eyes, offering her a warm, reassuring smile. "Why don't we step aside for a moment? You look like you could use some fresh air," he suggested gently, resting a comforting hand on her shoulder. His touch was light, but the kindness behind it was unmistakable.
• Avelyn blinked up at Kieran, still hiccupping softly through her tears, but his gentle tone and presence helped soothe her. She nodded weakly, grateful for his intervention.
• Draeven, however, remained rooted in place, arms crossed as he observed Kieran handle the situation. The unexpected turn of events had caught him off guard, and though he was relieved by Kieran's smooth recovery, a strange irritation simmered within him at needing to be "rescued" from his own teasing gone wrong.