The next morning, Zora slowly woke from her sleep.
Her eyelashes fluttered, and the first thing she saw was the familiar figure seated beside her bed.
Kael was there, his posture straight despite the exhaustion in his eyes, as if he had not moved even for a moment.
His presence was steady and quiet, like a wall built to keep the world away. When he noticed her waking, the coldness that had been lingering in his gaze immediately softened, and a gentle smile appeared in his eyes, as if the storm of yesterday had never existed.
"You're awake," he said softly, his voice low and careful. "Do you feel uncomfortable anywhere?"
Zora smiled faintly, her lips pale but curved with sincerity. "No."
But Kael did not believe her completely.
He knew her too well.
He knew she would rather swallow pain than let others worry.
