Sera's POV
Dawn painted the sky in shades of blood and gold.
I stood at the window, watching it rise, feeling the weight of everything pressing down on my chest. Draven was behind me—dressing, preparing, already shifting into alpha mode. I felt him through the bond, felt his determination and his fear and his fierce, desperate love.
He was terrified of losing me.
I was terrified of being the reason he died.
"There's something I need to tell you." I didn't turn around. "About the night my parents died."
He stilled. I felt his attention sharpen, felt him move closer until he stood just behind me, his warmth a shield at my back.
"You don't have to—"
"I know." I turned to face him. "But you should know. Before the Arbiters come. Before everything changes."
He nodded slowly. Waiting.
