ANOKAI’S POV
Morning light streamed through the window, painting everything in soft gold. I woke to the sound of Rissa humming, a gentle, melodic tune that reminded me of home before everything had gone wrong. Before Ethan. Before Aurelia. Before the cell.
I sat up, rubbing sleep from my eyes, my body still aching from yesterday's chaos. The rogue attack felt like a nightmare now, distant and unreal. Except for the bruises on my arms. The scratches on my legs. The memory of Malachi's pitch-black eyes and blood-soaked skin.
The memory of his touch on my cheek. His lips hovering over mine. The word "no" that had cost me everything to say.
"My lady!" Rissa's face brightened when she saw me awake. She rushed over, setting down the tray of food she'd been arranging. "Thank the goddess! I wa
