The Faerie Realm did not experience morning the way most worlds did. There was no sudden sunrise or dramatic shift from darkness to light.
Instead, the sky slowly transitioned through subtle gradients of color, like an endless canvas being repainted by unseen hands.
Lavender faded gently into pale gold while soft emerald light rose from the forests below as the luminous flowers began their morning bloom.
Floating islands drifted lazily across the glowing sky, and within the palace gardens, thousands of tiny faerie lights began to stir like a waking constellation.
Inside the guest chamber of the palace, that same gentle dawn filtered through the open balcony doors.
Jax's eyes opened quietly, groaning as he felt the incredibly comfortable bed. Then he felt the warmth pressed against his side, looking down and spotting Serika, curcled tightly against him like a small, warm fox.
