The portal bloomed open in front of Arty, spilling faint ripples of silver and red light across the chamber from the vortex.
She lifted her eyes from the heavy tome spread across her lap and she already knew who it was by the color and feeling of the energy alone.
A smile tugged at her lips even before Erend stepped through.
He emerged with his familiar presence. His shoulders still looked steady and his face lit by a small smile that softened the edges of his usual intensity.
"I knew you'd still be awake at this hour," he said.
Arty gave a little shrug, her eyes glinting in the dim light as her smile lingered. "You know that I can't really sleep these last few days."
Erend nodded, lowering his gaze briefly before letting out a quiet breath. "Yeah. I understand."
He really did understand. After everything she had been through, it wasn't strange for her to be restless.
