The dark, oppressive storm of Azure's soul raged on outside, but inside the small, dimly lit parlor of the cottage, the air held a fragile, quiet warmth. Odesse sat huddled on the couch, the thick blanket pulled tightly around her shivering shoulders. The only sound in the room was the soft, rhythmic chattering of her teeth as she watched little Azure, who kept her eyes fixed on the wooden floorboards.
The silence stretched between them, heavy and fragile, until the child slowly turned her head. Her expression was stern, her young eyes flashing with a sudden, defensive hostility.
"What is it?" little Azure asked, her voice sharp.
Odesse flinch, clutching the edge of the blanket closer to her throat. "It's nothing. I—"
