After Aelthira arrived and the introductions were made, the four women settled into the main sitting room. The afternoon sun streamed through the tall windows, painting the marble floor in warm shades of gold. They sat on the velvet sofas — Odette and Vivienne together on one, Lirael and Aelthira on the other — glasses of white wine in hand, and the conversation simply flowed.
And it flowed easily.
Lirael wanted to know everything. Odette calmly described how the transformation had happened, the ritual, the initial fear, the moment she felt sunlight on her skin for the first time without pain. Vivienne added details, laughing softly as she remembered the strange early days in her elven body and how the pendant still whispered old memories from time to time. Aelthira teased lightly, making playful remarks about the new paintings that had not yet been hung, while Lirael watched the two with the look of a proud mother mixed with deep tenderness.
Time passed slowly and pleasantly.
They talked about the mansion, about plans to fill the walls with paintings of the two of them, and about how Lívia's perfume had changed everything. They laughed when Odette admitted she now woke up and pulled Vivienne toward the window just to feel the warm sunlight together. Vivienne blushed slightly but squeezed Odette's hand, quietly saying she loved seeing the vampire like that — so light, so affectionate, so hers.
Lirael and Aelthira also spoke about their own lives. Old stories, travels, moments only those who had lived for centuries could truly understand. From time to time Aelthira brushed her shoulder against Lirael's in a discreet, familiar gesture, and Lirael answered with a sideways smile, as if she had always known that touch.
The hours slipped by unhurriedly. The sun lowered, changing the color of the light in the hall. Wine was poured again. Soft laughter echoed now and then. Subtle touches hid beneath the cushions — Odette's fingers slowly sliding along Vivienne's thigh, Aelthira's thumb drawing gentle circles over Lirael's knee.
Then the delicious scent of food drifted in from the corridor.
Selena appeared at the doorway, still wearing her fitted white bodice and her usual welcoming smile.
— Miladies… lunch is served in the inner garden — she announced softly. — Lemon risotto, grilled salmon, buttered vegetables, and warm bread. Everything is ready and waiting for you.
Odette smiled, giving Vivienne's thigh a gentle squeeze before standing.
— Perfect. Shall we?
The four rose together, still speaking quietly. Lirael offered her arm to Aelthira, who accepted with a half-smile. Vivienne intertwined her fingers with Odette's. And so, walking slowly through the corridor, they made their way toward the inner garden, where the table was already set beneath the pergola, bathed in golden afternoon light.
Lunch was already unfolding peacefully when Selena returned silently only to refill the wine before disappearing again, leaving the sound of the fountain to fill the space.
Vivienne studied her plate carefully, choosing each bite with attention, when Odette tilted her head, watching her with an amused smile.
— You're still overthinking before eating — she commented.
— I'm not — Vivienne replied with a soft laugh. — I'm just… appreciating it.
Odette raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. Without warning, she picked up her fork, prepared a perfect bite of salmon with a bit of risotto, and lifted it toward her.
Vivienne blinked in surprise.
— Odette…
— Open your mouth.
The tone wasn't commanding — it was gentle, playful, full of affection.
Vivienne hesitated for only a second before laughing, faintly flushed, and obeyed. Odette carefully guided the fork to her, waiting until she tasted it.
Vivienne chewed slowly… and her eyes lit up.
— It tastes even better like this — she murmured.
Odette smiled, satisfied, as though she had just proven an important point.
Across the table, Lirael rested her chin on her hand, watching the scene warmly.
— That was absurdly adorable.
Aelthira let out a quiet laugh.
— I was about to say the exact same thing.
Vivienne partially hid her face behind her wine glass, clearly embarrassed, while Odette simply shrugged, unbothered.
— What? She deserves to be spoiled.
— I agree — Lirael said with a smile. — But the two of you make it seem like the rest of the world disappears.
Odette cast a quick glance at Vivienne, her fingers lightly touching hers on the table.
— Sometimes it really does disappear.
Aelthira exchanged a knowing look with Lirael.
— I admit… it's good to see you like this. Light.
Vivienne took a slow breath, fully relaxing, and rested her shoulder briefly against Odette's.
— I think food always tastes better when someone shares it with you.
— Or when someone insists on feeding you — Lirael added playfully.
Odette was already preparing another bite.
Vivienne laughed.
— Don't get too used to this.
— Too late — Odette replied, offering her another small bite.
Vivienne laughed, shaking her head, but still leaned forward slightly and accepted it. The smile that appeared afterward was involuntary, almost childlike, and Odette seemed satisfied just seeing it.
— You only do this because you know I can't say no — Vivienne murmured.
— Of course I know — Odette replied calmly. — Centuries of experience watching you.
— That's a lie. It hasn't been that long.
— Long enough.
Across the table, Lirael let out a soft laugh, leaning back in her chair.
— I should write that down. It seems like a very effective courting technique.
Aelthira lifted her glass.
— Feeding someone until they fall even more in love?
— It works — Odette said simply, without the slightest hint of embarrassment.
Vivienne covered her face for a moment, laughing.
— You two are impossible…
— No, dear — Lirael replied gently. — We're just enjoying the scene.
The wind passed through the garden again, making the leaves above them whisper softly. Selena reappeared briefly to serve a light tea after lunch, moving almost without a sound, and soon disappeared once more.
The conversations slowed, turning into comfortable, scattered remarks. The feeling was one of fullness — not only from the food, but from the company.
Odette rested her elbow on the table and leaned slightly toward Vivienne.
— Would you like to take a walk afterward? The garden must be beautiful right now.
Vivienne looked around, taking in the soft light, the sound of water, and the calm presence of the other two.
— I would.
Aelthira smiled faintly.
— I think all of us want a little more of this day before it ends.
Lirael agreed, rising slowly.
— Then let's not waste the afternoon.
One by one, they stood from the table. The chairs slid softly across the stone floor, and the small group began walking through the inner garden, still wrapped in golden light — as if time, for a few hours, had decided to move more slowly just for them.