Cloaked In Shadows

Departure

As the night wore on, Kaelan's weary eyes grew heavier. The crackling of the fire and the quiet rise and fall of Nymeria's breathing lulled him into a sense of calm he rarely allowed himself to feel. He kept telling himself to stay awake, to watch over her in case Ash came back or in case she stirred from another nightmare. But exhaustion from the day's events slowly crept in.

Eventually, despite his best efforts, Kaelan's eyes fluttered shut, his body leaning back in the chair by the fire. Sleep overtook him, peaceful and dreamless, his mind finally giving in to the rest he hadn't realized he needed.

When Kaelan woke, the early morning light filtered through the small window of his cabin, casting soft shadows across the room. He blinked, momentarily disoriented, before remembering where he was. His eyes immediately flicked to Nymeria, who was still fast asleep on the bed, her form curled slightly under the blankets.

He let out a quiet breath of relief, thankful that she hadn't woken during the night, thankful that she was safe for now. Rising from the chair, he stretched his stiff limbs, the muscles in his neck protesting after sleeping in such an awkward position.

His gaze returned to her for a moment, a small smile tugging at his lips as he watched her sleep. She looked so different like this—vulnerable, peaceful, a stark contrast to the fierce warrior who always seemed ready for the next battle.

Quietly, Kaelan moved about the cabin, careful not to disturb her. He busied himself with making breakfast, lighting the small stove in the corner. It wasn't much, just some bread, eggs, and herbs he kept stored away, but it would be warm and comforting—something Nymeria needed after everything.

As he worked, the familiar routine settled his nerves. The smell of food began to fill the cabin, and he found himself relaxing for the first time in what felt like days. It was moments like this, rare as they were, that reminded him why he kept this place. It wasn't just for solitude or his own work—it was a sanctuary, a place where people like Nymeria could come when the world became too much.

By the time the meal was ready, the sun was higher in the sky, casting a soft golden glow over everything. He glanced over at Nymeria again, wondering when she would wake, knowing she'd probably pretend she didn't need the rest even though her body clearly did.

Kaelan sat for a moment longer, watching the soft rise and fall of Nymeria's chest. She looked so peaceful, her usual hard edges softened in sleep, but he knew she needed to wake soon. She hadn't eaten since the fight with Ash, and despite her stubbornness, he wanted to make sure she regained her strength.

He stood up quietly, moving over to the bed where she lay. The morning light painted her silver hair in soft hues, making her seem even more ethereal than usual. For a second, he hesitated, not wanting to disturb her rest. But he knew her—knew she'd hate waking up famished and sore without any food.

Kneeling beside the bed, he reached out and gently brushed a stray lock of hair away from her face. "Nym," he called softly, his voice barely above a whisper, careful not to startle her. "It's morning. Time to wake up."

She stirred slightly, but didn't open her eyes yet. He chuckled under his breath, realizing just how rare it was to see her like this. Most of the time, she woke with the sharp instincts of a seasoned fighter, ready to face whatever awaited her. But here, in his cabin, she allowed herself a vulnerability he rarely saw.

"Nym," he tried again, his hand resting lightly on her shoulder. "I made breakfast. You should eat."

That seemed to do the trick. Her brow furrowed slightly, and she slowly blinked her eyes open, the haze of sleep still clouding her gaze. She glanced up at him, her usual sharpness not quite there yet, and gave a soft groan as she shifted under the blankets.