I woke before the sun.
The sky was still dark, but it held that quiet blue shade that only comes before morning. A soft wind moved through the trees, and the night's chill was beginning to slip away. I lay still for a moment, listening. Erya's soft breathing filled the tent. She was curled up beside me, warm and safe.
Then I turned and saw Darius.
He was already awake, his eyes on me. He smiled.
"Couldn't sleep," he whispered.
"Me neither."
We watched each other for a few seconds. No rush. No worries. Just this peaceful moment between us.
He reached over and brushed my hair away from my face. "You're beautiful in the morning."
I laughed quietly. "I probably have grass in my hair."
"Still beautiful."
His voice was soft, but it touched something deep inside me. I reached for his hand and laced our fingers together. Neither of us spoke for a while. We didn't need to.
