Aria's Pov
Morning came with all the subtlety of a sledgehammer to the face, courtesy of the Academy's cheerfully aggressive wake-up bells. I'd managed maybe three hours of actual sleep, which meant I was running on fumes, anxiety, and whatever willpower I had left.
Not exactly optimal conditions for dealing with whatever fresh hell today was going to throw at me.
Caspian was already up, going through his morning routine with that annoyingly efficient way he had of making everything look effortless. But I caught him glancing at me more than usual, like he was trying to read something in my expression.
"You look terrible," he said, not unkindly.
"Thanks. Really what every person wants to hear first thing in the morning."
"I'm serious. When's the last time you actually slept?"
"Sleep
