The first light of morning slipped through the canopy, painting long stripes of gold across the clearing. The fire from last night had burned down to embers, faint smoke curling lazily into the cool air.
Noel was already awake. He sat near the ashes, Revenant Fang resting across his knees, the blade dark and still. With calm, practiced movements, he wiped it clean, checking every edge as though last night's slaughter hadn't even strained him.
Elena stirred inside her blanket. Her amber eyes blinked open, adjusting to the light, before they settled on Noel's figure. She propped herself up on her elbows, a soft smile tugging at her lips.
'He's so strong now… stronger than I ever imagined. And he's mine, well should I say ours? He is not technically mine alone.'
She sat quietly for a moment, simply watching him. The faint glow of the morning made him look different—calmer, older somehow.
