Aether blinked in surprise when he noticed a bat fluttering outside the window, its tiny wings casting a faint shadow under the grey light.
A soft sigh left his lips as he carefully, almost reluctantly, slid his shaft out of Nyx's warm body. Slowly and gently, he moved her aside, making sure not to wake her. Her skin still glistened faintly with sweat, and her breathing remained slow and peaceful. He got dressed, fastening his clothes without rushing, and gave her one last glance—just to make sure she was still deep asleep.
Turning silently, he walked toward the door. The moment his foot crossed—
Her eyes snapped open.
They glowed faintly in the dim light.
Meanwhile,
Aether eased the door closed behind him, the wooden frame barely making a sound. Just outside, the small bat hovered in midair, circling him once before flapping upward into the sky.
