The first thing Aria felt was warmth.
Not the cold stone of the eastern wall. A fire crackled somewhere nearby. Blankets covered her body. A familiar weight pressed against her hand, rough, callused, trembling slightly.
She opened her eyes.
The ceiling above her was wooden beams and shadow. The air smelled of herbs and woodsmoke. She was in the healer's wing.
"Aria."
Rowan's voice. Hoarse and broken. She turned her head and found him beside her, his golden eyes red rimmed, his jaw dark with stubble, his hand wrapped around hers like she was the only thing anchoring him to the earth. He looked like he hadn't slept in days. He probably hadn't.
"Rowan." Her voice came out as a rasp. Her throat was dry. "The baby—"
"Safe." He pressed her hand to his lips.
She closed her eyes and let t
