[Silthara Palace — Malika's Private Residency — Royal Nursery — Later]
The nursery rested beneath a blanket of peaceful silence.
Warm afternoon light streamed through the carved lattice windows, painting silver patterns across the marble floor. Fresh lotus blossoms rested inside crystal vases, their gentle fragrance mingling with sacred incense offered to Lord Urzan earlier that morning.
Inside the carved cradle... The Golden Blood twins slept peacefully. One tiny hand rested upon the other's blanket.
As though even in sleep... They refused to be separated. Near the cradle... Asha lay upon the polished floor, her enormous silver body curled protectively around its base.
Beside her...Lyresaph remained seated upright, blue eyes never leaving the sleeping children. Neither creature blinked very often, and neither wished to miss even the slightest movement.
Levin smiled; he slowly crouched beside them, his fingers gently stroking Asha's head.
"You both have an important duty now."
