Chapter 39: A Whisper of Sunrise

Layla stepped into the main room of the cabin and looked around. Atreus was nowhere to be seen. Puzzled, she walked cautiously into the room. Beyond the bathing area and the kitchen was another large fireplace that was burning softly and past that was a door.

Maybe he had stepped outside to get more firewood.

She made her way toward the door and opened it. Chilly, fresh, mountain air greeted her. The sun was just about to greet the sky, casting a bluish-gray overcast across the horizon. There was a thick forest of pine trees as far as the eye could see.

It was a gorgeous and tranquil place. Layla was admiring the landscape so much, she didn't notice Atreus' approach.

"What are you doing out here in the cold?" he scolded. "Your hair is wet and you barely have any clothes on."

Layla gave him a withering look. "I'm not a child, Atreus. I can take care of myself."

"That remains to be seen," he countered, crossing his arms. "Go back inside before you catch your death."