The cave was quiet except for the faint crackle of dying embers. A thin blade of sunlight slipped through the narrow entrance, stretching across the rocky floor until it reached Noel.
He was already awake, seated cross-legged with Revenant Fang laid across his knees, running a cloth along the blade as though polishing it. The faint glow of mana flickered against his green eyes, steady and alert despite the early hour.
Behind him, Selene stirred. Her short blue hair was mussed from sleep, strands sticking out unevenly. She blinked against the light, her cyan eyes adjusting slowly as she pushed herself upright. Her wand rested near her hand, but for once, she hadn't clutched it all night.
Noel glanced over his shoulder at her, expression calm but faintly amused. "Morning."
