The King's recovery took hours.
Lin Tian watched from the shadows as healers tended to the Naga ruler. Mira stayed by her father's side, her hand never leaving his.
She needs this.
He turned away.
The palace was quiet now. The violet moss had receded, replaced by soft bioluminescent corals that pulsed with gentle light. The Kraken had retreated to its post at the temple entrance, no longer hostile but still watchful.
Su Lan found him in the corridor, leaning against the bioluminescent wall with his arms folded, staring at nothing in particular. The soft coral light painted her face in pale blue and gold as she approached, her expression carrying that particular brand of quiet stubbornness he had come to recognise so well.
"You need rest," she said, stopping in front of him and tilting her head slightly, the way she always did when she was making a point she expected him to argue with.
"So do you," he replied, not moving from his spot.
