Fian was only startled for a moment by the bark spreading across baby Cailen's face.
What truly shocked him was the sight of Gara's smooth, pale chest.
The red at the tips of his ears traveled quickly down to his cheeks. He no longer registered Gara's explanation about the bark appearing only when Cailen felt threatened. He simply nodded blankly, like a puppet whose strings had been gently tugged.
Gara, meanwhile, paid no attention to the change in Fian's expression. His focus was entirely on Cailen's face, which had already returned to normal.
"He doesn't feel threatened anymore," Gara murmured. "You can put him back in the crib. I'll nurse him after Caila."
Fian nodded absentmindedly, though his movements remained careful as he returned Cailen to the crib.
Not long after, Wina entered carrying food for Gara. Fian quickly stepped out of the room.
After nursing both Caila and Cailen and filling several bottles with his breast milk, Gara was finally able to rest.
