Annie paused, her fingers still tangled in his hair. "What…?" she whispered, her head tilting slightly in surprise.
Julian caught himself. He stood up a little too quickly, dusting his shirt as if trying to distract them both from the slip.
"Nothing, Mother," he said, glancing away with a grin. "I'm just happy to be of help."
Annie stared at him for a moment longer, unsure what had just passed between them. But she smiled back anyway.
Julian looked up at her again, his tone softer now. "Mother," he said quietly, "can you tell me more?" About the supreme beings… the goddesses… all of it."
Annie leaned forward, her back facing him as she reached for the empty plate. Her fingers hovered above it, but she didn't move.
Then, slowly, she shook her head.
"Not now, Rael," she said gently, her voice soft but firm. "Some things… aren't meant to be heard too early."
