As he did every day, Caelan woke up early. The sun was just peeking through the treetops, and the damp air refreshed his skin as he walked toward the garden.
On the way he ran into Megan, a young woman with dark hair tied in a braid that fell over her shoulder. She was bent over, picking leaves from a basket, and when she noticed Caelan's presence, she looked up.
"Look at you, working this early already," Caelan said, leaning casually against the edge of the basket. "You're going to make me look bad if anyone compares me to you."
Megan raised an eyebrow, amused.
"I wish. Everyone seems to think well of you."
Caelan gave a half-smile, leaning a little closer to her.
"Putting it that way makes it sound like you've been watching me a lot to know that."
Megan pretended to roll her eyes, but the curve of her lips betrayed her.
"You don't need anyone watching you, Caelan, you make enough noise on your own."
"Noise?" he repeated in mock surprise. "I thought it was charm."
