Chapter 131 The Quiet After

• Peace didn’t arrive with trumpets.
• It came on quiet footsteps. On the soft creak of the nursery door opening. On Mikko’s breath catching as he stepped into the room he’d memorized in dreams.
• Auren was asleep—finally. His tiny fists curled under his chin, his dark lashes fluttering as he dreamed whatever newborns dreamed. Espen stood by the crib, arms folded, her silhouette illuminated by moonlight through the high arched window.