The morning breeze slipped softly through the slightly opened window.
Aire stood beside it quietly.
The castle grounds stretched far beneath her chambers, touched gently by pale sunlight. Wolves moved through the courtyards already. Guards rotated positions, servants crossed pathways carrying baskets and linens, and somewhere farther away, horses moved through the lower gates.
Aire rested one hand lightly against the window frame. For several seconds, she simply watched the world continue without caring.
A movement caught her attention below.
An Omega woman crossed the lower courtyard carrying a woven basket beneath one arm while a little boy chased after her loudly.
"No!" the child squealed through laughter. "Mama, wait!"
The woman laughed immediately.
It was not the usual graceful laughter Aire has almost gotten used to around the castle walls. Her laugh was loud, warm, exhausted, and real.
