Dawn came with mist hanging low over the water path. I woke alone in the grove, Julian already gone to check the outer markers before the day's heat. The imprint of his body still warm beside me on the moss.
I dressed and walked toward the center. The garden was waking in stages. A few early risers moved between the paths with quiet purpose. The song threads hummed their morning note, barely audible but present.
Ellis sat alone at the pool's edge when I passed. They had their feet in the water and their head tilted back, eyes closed. I almost kept walking. Then they spoke.
"You can sit."
I sat at the far end of the ledge. The water felt cool against my calves.
"Rowan is still sleeping," Ellis said without opening their eyes. "I woke early. Could not settle."
"Too much new?"
A pause.
