The Sanctum was quiet again. After another grueling day of drills, laughter, and brief moments of sparring, the flickering orbs overhead dimmed to a soft glow, casting warm light across the inner chambers.
Nova had finally drifted to sleep in her cradle, her tiny lips parted in peaceful dreams, one hand fisted over her chest. Samantha watched her daughter for a long while, exhaustion and adoration mingling beneath her ribs.
"She looks like you when she sleeps," Marcus murmured from behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist.
"She drools like you," Samantha teased, leaning back into his embrace.
Kai stretched on the floor beside the hearth, his head resting on a folded cloak. "She kicked me in the face earlier. Definitely takes after Sam."
"Proud of her already," Marcus grinned.
