Celeste POV
I stretched languidly across my bed, my muscles pleasantly relaxed after the deepest sleep I'd had in weeks. The afternoon sunlight filtered through my curtains, painting golden patterns across the ceiling. I stared up at those patterns, letting my mind wander to nowhere in particular, and felt a small smile tug at my lips despite everything that had happened.
"You had a smile on your face."
The voice startled me, and I turned my head to find my grandmother sitting on the edge of my bed. I hadn't even heard her come in. Elena had always moved with the quiet grace of someone who'd spent decades mastering the art of observation.
I chuckled, feeling slightly embarrassed to be caught in such a vulnerable moment. "I was just playing with the birds in my dream, that's all."
It was a weak excuse, and we both knew it. But my grandmother's eyes crinkled with amusement as she studied my face, her weathered hand reaching out to brush a strand of hair from my forehead.
