[ Autumn's fortress/sanctuary - uncharted parts of the Old World ]
Autumn smoothed Jasper's blanket, her fingers lingering as though tucking him in could ward off every shadow that threatened their fragile peace.
His chest rose and fell in steady rhythm, lashes dark against his soft cherub cheeks.
She bent low, pressing a kiss to his warm forehead. "Sleep well, little wolf," she whispered, her voice cracking into something almost prayerful.
When she straightened, her own breath left her in a long sigh.
Her shoulders sagged as though she carried the weight of the whole world on her spine (which actually,she did) . For a moment, she only sat in silence, the indoor light flickering against the walls of her chamber.
Then, with a subtle flick of her wrist, the air before her shimmered. A small circle of bluish light rippled into view, no larger than her palm. It swirled like water disturbed by unseen currents, humming faintly, practically alive.
