Morning came gently to Peduviel.
Aya had been awake for some time before the palace stirred.
The sky beyond her chamber windows was pale with early light, the gardens below still quiet beneath the soft gray of dawn. The celebrations had not yet begun their preparations; even the servants moved slowly through the courtyard paths.
Aya stood near the open window, the cool air brushing softly against her skin.
Bason lay stretched across the rug nearby, one massive paw twitching lazily as he slept.
Her mind had not rested much during the night. But for once, it had not been the familiar pressure of power or the restless anticipation of war that had kept her awake.
It had been the conversation with Elex. The truth she had finally spoken aloud.
Aya exhaled slowly, resting her hands against the cool stone of the window ledge.
She had not meant to say it so plainly.
Yet once the words had escaped her, they had felt strangely… inevitable.
Behind her, Bason's ears lifted.
