Eirik slowly stirred from his sleep, the warmth of the morning sun filtering through the thick curtains of his chamber. The pale golden light painted the room with a soft glow, making everything seem gentle, as if the world outside was still and peaceful. His eyelids fluttered open, and the first thing he noticed was the absence of Kaelix.
Kaelix's familiar presence, the strength of his steady gaze, and the quiet comfort of his touch had been there when Eirik had fallen asleep, but now, he was gone.
His heart dropped slightly, and he instinctively turned his head, as if expecting to see him sitting nearby. His gaze swept the room, searching for the comforting figure that had been there for him through it all, but instead he saw his mother sitting by the bedside,just like yesterday.
"Mother?" Eirik's voice was thick with sleep, but it carried an undercurrent of longing.
