Dawn had barely begun its ascent over Valemir when David opened his eyes. The room remained shrouded in darkness, illuminated only by faint silver moonlight filtering through the small balcony doors. The large bed—a source of much unspoken tension the night before—now held three sleeping forms arranged in a peculiar compromise. Luna had claimed the space nearest David as her right, while Elara had maintained a careful distance at the opposite edge, her back turned to them both.
David extricated himself from beneath the covers with practiced stealth, each movement calculated to minimize disturbance. Luna stirred despite his care, silver eyes opening to slits.
"Where are you going?" she murmured, voice husky with sleep.
David leaned down, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead. "Go back to sleep. I'm just exploring the city while it's quiet."
Luna's eyes narrowed slightly. "Should come with you. Protect."
