The first rays of dawn were just beginning to filter through the curtains when Caden stirred. For a moment, disorientation clouded his mind as he took in the unfamiliar surroundings. Then the events of the previous night came rushing back, and he became acutely aware of Lyra's warm presence beside him.
She was still asleep, her face finally peaceful after the turmoil of the night before. Caden's heart clenched as he remembered her tears, her fear, her shame. He longed to pull her closer, to shield her from the dangers that were closing in around them. But he knew he couldn't. Not when he was keeping so many secrets from her.
As he carefully slipped out of bed, his mind was a whirlwind of conflicting thoughts. The memory of what he'd overheard at the underground fight club made his dragon
