Chapter 125 --125.
She sighed.
Not like she was the one who would build them with her own hands anyway. But it still meant more mouths, more space, more risk. And right now, Kaya hadn’t even managed to borrow a spot for herself to sleep. Renting a proper place here required either being a shopkeeper or paying a hefty fee—and she was neither.
She didn’t even dare go back to the cave where she’d stashed her things. If someone followed me... it’d be over. Too many eyes. Too many unknowns.
Backtracking and returning would draw attention, and she wasn’t in the mood to gamble tonight.
So instead, Kaya made a quiet decision—just for the night, she’d take shelter in the grove down the path. The trees there were strong and low. Hidden enough to keep her out of sight. It was only a five-minute walk, and right now, that felt like the smartest move.
When she got there, she found a sturdy branch and climbed up. Her body moved with practiced ease despite the dull ache in her limbs. Sitting against the thick trunk, she leaned back with a small grunt and looked at the stars between the branches.
Back at the cave, she knew cutie was still healing the injured, tirelessly pushing his little hands over every wound. Vayu was likely hauling water again, quietly and without complaint.
And here she was—on a tree again.
Kaya stared at the bark beside her hand and let out a tired, half-laugh.
"Am I some kind of monkey?" she whispered to herself. "Always sleeping in trees these days..."
Kaya had just closed her eyes, hoping for even a sliver of rest, when a familiar wave of irritation rolled through her. She sighed, clearly done with everything and everyone.
"What are you even doing here?" she muttered, not bothering to open her eyes.