Chapter 29 Whispers Of Frost And Fire

• Late autumn had turned the world into a breathtaking tapestry of muted golds and deep crimson. The air was crisp, carrying the earthy scent of fallen leaves and the distant promise of winter’s bite. Under the soft gray of a heavy sky, Xueya walked alongside Kael toward the Outer Healer’s Hut, the crunch of dried foliage underfoot breaking the morning’s gentle hush.
• Her robe—lined thickly now with fur for the cold—brushed against her legs as she moved. With a soft, almost unconscious gesture, Xueya ran her hand over her stomach, where a subtle, precious curve had begun to show. A life growing steadily and strong within her, a quiet secret shared between her and the world.
• Kael noticed, his amber eyes catching the movement, and a grin tugged at the corner of his lips. "You're even more beautiful with that little one growing inside you," he murmured, slipping an arm around her shoulders.