The living room glowed with soft sunlight filtering through the blinds, the air warm and lazy as Freya, Rhea, and Kael sprawled on the couch.
Rhea kept sneaking glances at Kael, her grin sly as she munched popcorn. "Hey, Kael, you paying attention? Why's Ember keeping her powers secret from her brother?" She tossed a kernel at him, her voice teasing, checking if he was following.
Kael caught it, popping it into his mouth with a smirk. "Doesn't want him stressing. He's got enough going on."
Rhea nodded, but her amber eyes narrowed playfully. "Alright so..., what's the deal with that creepy crow the sorcerer's got? Always stalking her."
"It's his lookout," Kael said, leaning back. "Spies on Ember so he doesn't have to get his hands dirty."
"Nice!" Rhea said, flicking another kernel, which Kael dodged, chuckling.
Freya's breathing had slowed, her face relaxed against Kael's lap, lulled to sleep by either the movie's predictable plot or the steady warmth of his presence.
