Page 107 of Scornful

She's wearing long sleeves even though it’s hot as hell in here from all the cooking, and something about her smile seems forced.

I don’t know what it is, but I just can’t quite put my finger on it.

I take the bags from them."Thanks for braving the store today. I thought we had everything here already."

"No problem." Dylan's eyes sweep the room, lingering too long on the exits. "Crazy you're all still locked down here."

"Safety first," I reply, not liking how he's mapping our space. "Kitchen's through there if you want to help."

"I'll just..." Everly starts, but Dylan tightens his grip.

"We'll help together, babe. Right?"

She nods quickly. Too quickly.

As they pass, I catch sight of finger-shaped bruises on her lower arm where her sleeve rides up.

I want to say something, but now isn’t the time, not with Dylan watching her every move.

A few hours later, the feast is ready.

Runes calls everyone to gather, and we arrange ourselves around the cobbled-together tables.

Fifty-three people, from baby Cali to old friends who stop in for a bite to eat.

The turkeys gleam golden-brown, surrounded by every side dish imaginable.

Aziza's pies wait on the counter, picture-perfect even though my crust is subpar.

Just as Runes stands to speak, motorcycles rumble outside.

My heart leaps—they're back.

Geirolf enters with Dad, Emil, and Oskar, looking exhausted but alive.

His eyes find mine immediately, and something passes between us.

News.

They have news.

He drops into the empty chair beside me, pressing a quick kiss to my temple. "Sorry we're late."

"You're here now," I murmur. "That's what matters."

Runes clears his throat, commanding attention. "Brothers, sisters, family—we gather today with grateful hearts. This year tested us. We've lost people we love." His eyes find Rio briefly."We've faced threats to our children, our homes. But look around this room."

I do, seeing faces marked by hardship but not broken by it.

Magnolia holds Bjorn's hand.

Ingrid leans against her wounded boyfriend.

Dasha bounces Cali while Florencia plays with her napkin.

My parents sit close, battlefield partners after all these years.

Emil and Oskar are on both sides of them, my protectors even now.

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