The room remained quiet for a long moment after Aurielle's departure, the faint hum of the city below blending with the soft rustle of the curtains.
Lucy let out a small sigh, her wings shifting slightly as she relaxed against the railing.
The events of the night replayed in her mind, the memory of Linsley's words, his warmth, and the quiet sincerity in his touch grounding her in a way she hadn't expected.
Her lips curved into a faint smile as she gazed out at the awakening city.
The peace she felt wasn't fleeting—it was something deeper, something she had almost forgotten was possible. For the first time in years, she felt unshackled by her burdens, free to simply be.
But, of course, Aurielle had a way of leaving behind traces of her chaotic energy even in her absence.
