Servants carried trays through broad corridors; fresh arrangements appeared in urns as if conjured.
Tables were set and extra security posted at doors. The tone felt anticipatory rather than nervous— the sort of energy that comes when everything is staged to impress.
Thomas appeared in a side hallway as if summoned by the sound of her entrance. Relief crossed his face the moment he saw her. "There you are," he said warmly.
"It's not like I'm not missing," Maya replied jokingly, and he studied her anyway for a moment checking to see if she was fine. "You were with Mother."
"Exactly," she said and He nodded solemnly. "That's why I was worried."
Maya laughed, a brittle bright sound she hadn't expected to produce. Thomas brightened at the small victory. Someone, at least, was trying to keep the day ordinary.
"Feeling better?" he asked.
"A little," she said.
"A little's better than yesterday," he pointed out. It was true.
