Chapter 26 The Distance In His Laughter

The morning sun filtered through the trees, dappling the forest path with golden light as Mixarnt handed Aelries a plate of perfectly cooked eggs and roasted potatoes. “Morning, princess,” he teased, his usual grin in place—but something was different. The playful glint in his eyes had dulled, replaced by a careful neutrality. “Eat up. After this, we’ll keep searching for that moonlight flower.”