I could tell Lewis didn't wait for me to return.
Yes, he missed me. I felt that through the bond, the quiet pull in my chest the moment he appeared. But there was something sharper underneath it. A focus that didn't relax.
He was thinking about the Stone of Duality.
Seven days.
That number sat behind his eyes like a countdown. Like a timer only he could hear. He couldn't afford distractions, so he didn't hesitate to travel all night, determined to make sure nothing went wrong.
Riley let out a dramatic sigh. "I see how it is. You're leaving me again."
"It's okay," I smiled at her. "We can still catch the sunrise."
Riley waved a hand. "Forget it. I don't want to be the third wheel."
Grant overheard the end of it and leaned in like he was ready to solve a problem. "Is something broken? Daddy will fix it."
I couldn't help a soft chuckle.
I held Lewis's hand and searched his face. "You didn't sleep much. Do you want to rest?"
