Chapter 34 Beneath Quiet Skies

• Snowflakes drifted lazily outside the den, kissed with soft light from the pale winter sun. The quiet that came with snowfall blanketed the village like a hush held between heartbeats. Though the storm hadn’t yet struck, it loomed close—an inevitable pressure behind the clouds.
• Inside, the world was warmth and calm.
• Xueya reclined against Baelorn’s solid chest, his arms a secure wall of strength around her as they sat by the hearth. She cradled a mug of frostroot tea, the steam curling past her lips with the scent of earthy herbs. Baelorn’s hand rested lightly over hers on her belly, and together, they felt the subtle kick—again.