Kael awoke slowly—as if the world itself hesitated to tear him from the brief paradise he was in. The soft morning light filtered through the enchanted curtains of Sylphie's room, tinging the space with shades of lilac and gold. The air still carried the sweet scent of the flowers she wore in her hair, mingled with the warm aroma of the natural mana that always flowed around her.
For a moment, he didn't want to open his eyes. He felt his body heavy, exhausted. A weariness that wasn't just physical—it was something deeper, something that came from within, from the soul.
Even so, a small smile escaped him when he felt her touch.
Sylphie hugged him tightly, her face hidden against his chest, as if she feared he would disappear if he opened his eyes.
Her breathing was calm, her body warm and delicate. Kael could hear the steady rhythm of her heart, so close to his.
