"Yes, but we would still like to celebrate your birthday." Raaz said.
"What's to celebrate? The day when you lost a son and gained a monster?" Lith shapeshifted for a split second, making the adults shudder and the kids ask for an encore.
"I understand your pain, Lith, but it's not a good reason to behave as if you're the only one grieving." Elina stood up from her chair and moved near to him.
She cupped his face, forcing Lith to look her in the eyes, in the hope to snap him out of that edgy self-loathing demeanor.
"I knew Trequill Lark before you were born and I spent more time with Mirim than you ever did. Every time there was a gala that I couldn't attend due to my lack of manners, I entrusted you to her.
"After your return, Mirim would spend hours telling me every single word of praise you received and how well you handled those who provoked you. They were good people and my friends. I miss them more than you can possibly imagine.
