"You came," she said, matching her cousin's smile, "I think that's thanks enough." Not that Marlow thought Iris would decline the invitation or ignore an opportunity to see her brother, but she also knew, and understood, that the water witch had her own life and had been living it. All three of them had their own journeys to share--several years worth. They wouldn't be short of things to talk about, that much was for sure.
She stepped back, wrapping her arms loosing around her waist, watching her cousins once more with a flickering gleam in her eyes. Memories jumped to the front of her mind like a scrapbook on a projector, images flitting across the white screen until a mental photo similar to the scenario happening now froze, taking her back to a time when they were kids and a little Iris was holding her brother's face just like that. She couldn't remember what had happened exactly, but a small, freckly Marlow with the fiery red hair and amber eyes who was often lost in her daydreams, drew her gaze upon them with a certain childlike awe. If she had a sibling of her own, she imagined they would have a bond just like that.
But Asher and Iris were as good as siblings and she was thankful for every moment she got to have with them.
"I hope neither of you are planning on sleeping tonight," she smirked. "We have some catching up to do. Stage 2 of the Singari mission could take all night."