The inn room lay quiet, the soft glow from a lone candle flickering against the stone walls, casting long shadows across the faces of those within. Yara, feeling the lingering pull of exhaustion from the mana drain, shifted uncomfortably in Val's hold, her body tense and rigid. Her breath was shallow, her strength not fully recovered from the mana exchange. The faint flicker of residual energy passed between them, leaving an unmistakable tension in the air. She pulled back abruptly, steadying herself with one hand on the bedpost, refusing to meet his eyes.
"You're still weak," Val murmured, the usual edge in his voice softened. But she didn't need his concern—she'd been through worse. She managed a dismissive shrug, her gaze fixed firmly on the small, ornate nest of eggs nestled on thr bed, where Sky stood, studying them.
