The midday sun beat down on the lush, sprawling garden behind the Iron-Wood Manor, casting a warm, golden glow over the manicured grass.
For a brief, fleeting moment, it looked like a perfect, idyllic sanctuary.
Roxy sat on a wide, woven blanket spread across the lawn, her legs crossed comfortably beneath her.
The exhaustion of the previous two days had finally begun to lift, thanks in no small part to the incredibly peaceful, restorative night she had spent wrapped securely in Syris's arms.
Around her, the children were filled with energy. Drax was patiently showing Axel and Onyx how to properly balance their weight while holding training sticks, his massive wings tucked away to avoid knocking them over.
Iris was tumbling through the tall grass, chasing a particularly vibrant blue butterfly, while Tanith sat perfectly content in Roxy's lap, aggressively mashing a piece of soft peach into her own cheeks.
