The early morning light slipped tentatively through the cracks in the door frame, brushing lines of soft, silvery shadows across the cabin's interior. The fire had dwindled to glowing embers overnight, leaving the air cool but not yet biting.
Taryn stirred first, her lashes fluttering as she blinked away sleep. For a moment, she didn't move, letting her senses catch up with her surroundings. The weight of the blankets pressed warmly against her, layered with the unmistakable scent of Kah'el's cloak —pine and leather.
And then there was the warmth. To her right, Kah'el's steady presence anchored her. His breathing was deep and even, a calm rhythm that matched the faint rise and fall of his chest beneath the shared covers. His fingers, still curled with hers, felt solid and immovable, a quiet reassurance she hadn't asked for but didn't push away.
