Chapter 30

MAYA’S POV The room was calm and lit with candles when I walked into the dimly lit private restaurant where Lucian and Nora were already waiting. Our table was by the window, offering a distant view of the moonlight. I spotted them immediately—Nora's curls bouncing as she talked to her father, Lucian sitting tall beside her with his arms folded and eyes fixed on nothing in particular. I smiled and slid into the seat across from them. “Sorry I'm late,” I said, brushing a loose strand of hair behind my ear. “Training ran a little longer than expected.” “You look tired,” Lucian said, his voice low. I nodded. “Yeah. My legs are killing me, but I needed that.” Nora reached across the table with a soft grin “I missed you, Aunt Maya.” That did it. Guilt pulled tight in my chest. I hadn't even realized how long it had been since I sat down with both of them like this. Between training, meetings, and planning for the upcoming race, everything else had taken a step back. Including them. “I misse