Kora’s POV
The moon was bright that night, too bright for comfort. It painted the walls of our room silver, making the shadows look sharper, almost alive. I couldn’t sleep. My body was tired, but my mind refused to rest. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw the shard—burning, splitting, whispering—and Aaron’s smirk floating somewhere in the firelight.
I turned over, facing Edward’s side of the bed. He was already awake, propped up on one elbow, watching me. His eyes caught the moonlight and glowed faintly, wolf-like.
“You’re still thinking about it,” he said quietly.
I sighed and nodded. “I can’t stop. The look on their faces in the council room… the way they stared at me like I was some monster waiting to explode.”
“You’re not a monster.”
I gave him a small, tired smile. “Try telling
