The fire path stayed quiet after the morning claims and the whole garden seemed to hold its breath like it was waiting to see if we would rest or keep moving.
I sat with Julian under the blooms of our grove, backs against the soft trunk, legs stretched out. The air was warm but not pulling.
“You still feel any heat from earlier?” I asked.
“No,” he said. “Path settled. New pairs locked clean. You?”
“Same. Just tired in a good way. Body feels used. Mind feels steady.”
He reached over and rested his hand on my thigh. “We did enough for one morning. Rest is part of the hold too.”
Neri appeared at the edge of the grove with two water skins. “Brought these. Cool from the new pool. You both look like you need it.”
I took one. “Thanks. How is the water side?”
“Quiet. Reaches are calm. The
