It's been 2 days since the voice. Aria lay on her side, staring at the dim outline of the ceiling. The secured wing is quieter than the infirmary had been. No murmured healers, or the steady shuffle of passing guards, and pained groans from patients. Just the occasional echo of boots far down the corridor.
And something else.
Ever since that night, Aria felt a familiar sense of warmth settled deep within her chest.
Like a presence that didn't press or invade, but was certainly there. She didn't know what to make of it but allowed it still.
She shifted beneath the covers, exhaled, and rolled onto her back, her slightly damp hair all over the pillow.
Across the hall, a door opened. She didn't hear footsteps, just the soft click of leather against stone.
Her pu
