The carriage came to an abrupt stop, waking Ren. He blinked, his head resting against something too soft to be the carriage's walls. He turned, finding Zayden's head leaning against his.
For a moment, he froze. Although he wanted to push him away, he held back. The General rarely slept so soundly—deep enough not to stir even after a sudden jolt. Ren didn't want to disturb that rare moment of rest.
Carefully, he lifted Zayden's head, intending to free himself. But before he could think twice, he guided it down onto his own shoulder instead.
A soft sigh slipped from Zayden's lips, warm against his skin. It sounded almost… content.
Why am I here?
Ren wondered. He was certain he had been holding Eiran, who had fallen asleep leaning against him. Yet when he looked across the seat, he found the child sprawled comfortably, sleeping soundly.
"He would have gotten back pain if he sat this long," Zayden's low voice cut through the silence, making Ren flinch.
