The following morning, sunlight streamed through the curtains, soft and golden. Nero woke first, his arm still wrapped around Khione, her white hair spread across his chest like silk. He lay still for a moment, listening to her breathing, feeling the warmth of her body against his. The night had been peaceful, restful, a rare pocket of calm in the chaos of their lives.
Then she stirred. Her eyes fluttered open, ice-blue and clear, and she looked at him. For a moment, there was only the quiet intimacy of waking together—the softness of her gaze, the curve of her lips, the way her hand rested on his chest.
Then her expression shifted. Her eyes narrowed, studying him with that sharp, analytical focus she wore like armor.
"You've gotten stronger again," she said. It was not a question.
Nero did not deny it. He met her gaze, a small smile tugging at his lips. "I awakened another law. The Law of Water."
