Rowan woke to an empty bed.
The sheets beside him were cold. The cradle was empty. For a moment, his heart seized, then he saw her. Aria stood at the window, Audra cradled in her arms, her silver hair loose down her back. The first pale light of dawn was just beginning to creep over the mountains.
"You're awake early," he said, his voice rough with sleep.
"I couldn’t sleep."
He was on his feet immediately, crossing the room to her. "What happened?"
"I heard footsteps at the corridor, just after midnight." She didn't turn from the window. "The person stopped just right at our door.."
Rowan's blood went cold. "Why didn't you wake me?"
"Because by the time I was sure they were gone, it was too late to chase them." She turned to face him, and he saw the purple hallow right under her eye
