Morning broke with a fragile sense of normalcy, the kind that felt borrowed rather than owned.
Caroline lay still in Thorne's bed, staring at the pale line of light creeping along the ceiling. Her body was awake long before her mind caught up. She took inventory the way she always did now. Outside the windows, the city moved on without her permission.
Behind her, Thorne's breathing stayed even. Solid. Real.
She rolled onto her back, folding her hands over her stomach like she needed to anchor herself. The quiet felt thinner in daylight, more exposed.
Caroline turned her head to look at him. His eyes were open now, sharp despite the hour.
“I'm going back to Valorith today," Caroline said.
Thorne didn't hesitate. “Okay."
She blinked and pushed herself up on one elbow. “That's… it?"
