Morning came gently.
Not with urgency.
Not with fear.
Just… light.
Soft sunlight slipped through the high windows of the chamber, resting quietly across the bed.
Kael stirred first.
Instinct.
Always aware.
His hand moved slightly across the sheets
Empty.
His eyes opened instantly.
Sharp.
Alert.
“Lyra?”
He sat up quickly, scanning the room.
For a brief moment,
something cold tightened in his chest.
Then
he saw her.
By the mirror.
Standing quietly.
Lyra didn’t notice him at first.
She stood in front of the tall glass, her fingers resting lightly over her stomach.
Not tense.
Not uncertain.
Just… present.
Her reflection looked back at her like something new.
Something she was still learning.
Kael exhaled slowly.
The tension left him just as quickly as it came.
He
