The sea had grown restless again.
Not with violence—but with expectation.
Aerin woke before dawn, the soft blue glow of the chamber casting long shadows across coral walls. For a moment she lay still, listening to the pulse of the palace through the water around it.
And beneath that—
The bond.
Caelum was awake already. His presence felt steady and thoughtful, like a current moving slowly through deep water.
Noctyrr… was closer.
Much closer.
She turned her head slightly and found him watching her from the edge of the bed, one arm resting across his knee as if he had been there for some time. His silver-dark eyes reflected the faint glow of the chamber.
"You stare like that often?" she murmured sleepily.
Noctyrr's mouth tilted into the faintest smile.
"Only when I'm making sure you're still breathing."
Aerin pushed herself up on one elbow. "I survived the abyss. I think I can survive a night's sleep."
"Not what I meant."
His voice was softer now.
