The world did not rush to fill the quiet.
That surprised everyone.
Days passed without crisis, without summoning, without the familiar tightening in Aurelia’s chest that had once announced another imbalance demanding her attention. Life moved forward in increments so small they barely registered unless one stopped looking for catastrophe.
Aurelia was learning how to stop.
She woke earlier than she needed to now, habit refusing to loosen its grip all at once. Dawn found her seated on the eastern steps of the Stronghold, bare hands wrapped around a cup gone cold, watching the light creep across stone that no longer felt like a command post.
Below, people moved with ordinary purpose.
That was new.
Kane approached quietly, settling beside her without comment. They had developed a langua
