I woke up slowly, my body heavy, my mind foggy.
The bed beside me was empty.
For a moment, I just lay there, staring at the ceiling, listening to the quiet of my chambers. The sheets were still warm, scented with him, and that alone made my chest tighten. Kaelen was gone. No warning. No goodbye. Just like that.
I pushed myself up, wincing as soreness settled into my muscles. Not just from last night… from the first stage of the trials too. Everything ached in that deep, dull way that reminded me I had been pushed, tested, claimed… and left.
I pressed my fingers to my neck without thinking.
The collar was gone.
My breath caught. I didn't know why that small detail made my chest feel strange. Relief and disappointment tangled together until I couldn't tell which one was s
