Chapter 153. The Calm Before

Xerina’s POV

The stroll through the gardens had left me feeling lighter, like a fog had lifted, even if just for a moment. Rasmus stayed close, his presence comforting, like an anchor I didn’t know I needed. His hand never left mine as we walked back toward the house.

The grand doors of the dining hall loomed ahead, and I felt a flutter of nerves in my chest. I wasn’t sure why. It should have been easy—just a meal with my family. But something about it made me anxious, like I was stepping into something I couldn’t quite understand.

Rasmus must have felt my hesitation because he gave my hand a gentle squeeze. “It’ll be fine,” he said, his voice low. “They’re just as eager to see you getting better as I am.”

I nodded, trying to shake the uneasy feeling. The doors opened with a soft creak, and the warmth from the room spilled out, along with the familiar scent of roasted meat and herbs.

Everyone was already seated when we walked in—my mother, Chriss