Page 87 of Elemental Becoming

Lyra blinks at her empty hand, then pouts. “Betrayal.”

Rowena lets out a drunken guffaw. “You’re a lightweight.”

Lyra pushes herself upright—and immediately tips to the side.

“I am perfectly fine,” she declares, the words slightly slurring.

Sera hums. “Really? Then stand up.”

Lyra plants both hands on the table and pushes herself to her feet with tremendous determination. She manages to stay upright for a single triumphant second before swaying, blinking at the room as though it has somehow shifted around her. A moment later, she loses her battle with gravity and drops straight back into her chair.

The impact rattles the table.

Lyra immediately points an accusing finger at the floor. “That moved.”

I raise a brow. “Perfectly fine, huh?”

Lyra squints at me, attempting a glare. “You’re just jealous because I canglug glugmore than you.”

I scoff. “Glug-glug? Sure. But stand? Not so much.”

Lyra waves a hand. “Semantics.”

Sera leans back, composed even now, a faint smile playing ather lips. “I give her five minutes before she passes out.”

Rowena shakes her head. “Two.”

I sigh and push back from the table. “Alright, come on, menace. Time for bed.”

Lyra lets out an exaggerated groan but doesn’t argue as I hook an arm under hers and haul her to her feet. She leans heavily against me, her body warm, and I realize—she’s worse off than I thought.

“Gods, Lyra, you’re useless right now.”

“I am alady,” she slurs. “You should carry me.”

“Absolutely not.”

“Garrick would.”

“I’m not Garrick.”

Her face lights up, as if she’s just had a brilliant idea. “Use your air magics! You can float me to my bed!”

I stare at her.

“No.”

Lyra grins up at me, unfazed. “What if I say please?”

Rowena and Sera are cackling behind us, making no move to help as I half-drag Lyra toward the exit.

I pause at the doorway and glance back at them, my chest still warm—not from the wine, but from the lingering laughter, the ease, the simple joy of a night spent with new friends.

“Goodnight,” I say, offering them a small, genuine smile. “And thank you—for tonight.”

Sera raises her glass one last time. “We’ll do it again soon.”

Rowena flashes a smile. “Next time, we see if you can actually keep up with Lyra.”