The morning sun painted the Ackerman estate in golden light, but Fenix barely noticed the beauty around him. His body was back home, but his mind kept drifting to temple corridors and the weight of secrets he now carried. The feast last night had been a blur of congratulations and relief, but today brought different challenges.
He found Abigail in their mother's old reading room, sunlight streaming through tall windows as she sat curled in an oversized chair with a book in her lap. When she saw him, her face lit up like he'd hung the stars just for her.
"Brother!" She jumped up, nearly tripping over her dress in her excitement. "I was hoping you'd wake up early. I have so many questions!"
Fenix smiled, settling into the chair across from her. His little sister looked exactly the same, but somehow he felt like he was seeing her through new eyes. The temple had changed him in ways he was still discovering.
