Chapter 26 Quiet Mornings and Unspoken Thoughts

The morning light filtered gently through the shutters, casting thin golden lines across the walls of their home. A kettle steamed quietly on the stove. Somewhere outside, birds chirped lazily as the town woke with less urgency than usual.

Kai sat at the table in the kitchen, elbows on the wood, staring into a shallow cup of dark tea. It was still warm, untouched. He hadn’t said much since sunrise. He rarely did.

Fara passed behind him without saying anything. One of her tails swept across his back, soft and slow. She placed a hand on his arm, light but steady, then moved on. He didn’t react—not visibly. But he didn’t pull away either. That was enough for her.

Skye lingered in the doorway, hugging a pillow to her chest like armor. Her golden eyes followed the quiet contact between them. She wasn’t mad. Skye didn’t yell or pout. But something inside her ached, and she didn’t know what to do with it.

She knew Kai had lived longer, felt more, touched more. He had a past. Probably lovers. Probably people he trusted with parts of him she hadn’t earned yet. But watching Fara walk so easily into that space, into that comfort—Skye felt small. Not excluded, just... late.

I should’ve done something, she thought. Something more. Before Fara did.

Across the room, Revoli swung her legs from the counter, feet brushing the cabinet below. She chewed slowly, a piece of soft fruit clinging to her fingers. Her yellow eyes darted back and forth, reading the room without asking questions.

Inside her, two halves pulled in different directions. One wanted to pounce into Kai’s lap and call it a game. The other wanted to curl up beside him and whisper that he didn’t have to be strong all the time. But for once, neither spoke up.

She tilted her head, voice soft. “You really like her, huh?”

Kai didn’t respond. His gaze stayed low.

Fara looked over at the comment, her expression calm. Not smug. Just present. Skye didn’t look at anyone. Her hands squeezed the pillow tighter.

The air stretched thin for a moment.

Then Revoli shrugged, hopping off the counter. “It’s fine. I’ll win him over later.” She winked, her grin quick but a little less sharp than usual.

Kai stayed still. Not cold—just quiet. Taking it all in.

Fara stepped closer and set a plate down in front of him. Toasted bread, cooked egg, a few herbs tucked on the side. She touched his shoulder before sitting down. No words, just weight.

Skye turned toward the hallway. “I’ll get dressed. Just… let me know when we’re heading out.”

Kai’s eyes finally lifted from his tea.

“Eat first,” he said softly.

She paused.

Then turned, nodded once, and joined the table.

No declarations. No questions.

But in that small silence, something shifted. Not resolved, not solved—but recognized.

And for now, that was enough.