I smirk. “And now you watch fog.”
“Honestly? It’s creepier.”
I laugh—actually laugh—and he grins like it’s a prize.
“Garma loves the fog,” I say. “Says it looks like the clouds forgot how to fly.”
Naull chuckles. “Smart kid.”
“Yeah,” I say softly. “Too smart.”
His brow furrows. “That scare you?”
“Sometimes,” I admit.
There’s a beat of quiet.
“Do you ever think about what you’d tell him?” he asks. “When he’s older?”
I don’t answer.
I don’t have to.
He sees the truth in my silence.
The air shifts.
Naull sets his cup down with a soft clink and stands. Walks behind me. His hands find my shoulders. Gentle. Warm.
“You’re not alone in this,” he says.
“I’vebeenalone.”
“You don’t have to be now.”
I lean back into him. Just a little. Just enough.
“He has your eyes,” he says into my hair.
I swallow hard.
“I know.”
That’s all we say.
CHAPTER 23
ARIA
Garma lifts the stool like it’s a feather.
Not a wobble. Not even a grunt. Just tiny fingers curling around the leg, eyes flashing with glee, and up it goes.
My heart stutters. I set the datapad down too hard.
“Sweetheart,” I say carefully, “how many times have I told you?—?”
“I didn’t break it!” he says, grinning. “I’m strong now!”
