Auriel woke up twenty minutes later, but he did not cry. His gold eyes opened slowly, blinked a few times, and then his tiny face broke into something that was almost a smile, though the nurses had said newborns could not really smile yet. It looked like one anyway. His hands waved in the air, and a soft eh escaped him, curious rather than demanding.
Lin Yue leaned over the bassinet. "You are awake. And you are not screaming. This is new."
Auriel cooed, eh-eh-eh, and kicked his legs.
She lifted him carefully, cradling him against her chest. He did not root for food. He did not fuss. He simply looked around the room, his eyes wide, his little head turning toward the window where the light was brightest.
"You want to play?" she asked. "Is that it?"
Auriel patted her collarbone with one clumsy hand.
