Hera stepped forward, placing the tray gently on the small table near the bed.
"I thought you might want something warm," she said softly, eyes briefly flicking over Raelynn's face, reading the fatigue and the storm of thoughts still swirling there.
Raelynn didn't answer right away. She just looked at Hera—really looked—and realized how strange it was that nothing about this morning felt strange to the woman.
That was what unsettled Raelynn the most.
She tried to act normal too, thanking her softly, offering a tiny smile, pretending like everything was the same. But Hera's presence was a quiet weight in the room. Not unwelcome—just… heavier than usual.
Raelynn sipped her tea, but her lips barely touched the cup. Her fingers trembled slightly, and she kept her eyes lowered, watching the reflection of the light ripple across the surface of the drink.
