Octavia
The pain was what slowly roused me, not the strong sunlight streaming into my eyes. I opened them and tried to move, but my entire body ached. I glanced around, reluctant to admit who I was searching for. When my eyes finally landed on him, relief washed over me instantly.
“How are you feeling?” Valerio asked.
He was sitting in the same chair he had occupied last night, meeting my gaze with calm, yellow eyes.
“Have you been here all night?” I inquired, confused.
“No. I had some work to do. I just got back an hour ago.”
So he hadn’t slept at all?
A flicker of guilt stirred inside me, but I quickly pushed it away. I shouldn’t care about him.
“Oh,” was all I managed as I attempted to sit up. I was determined not to let him see how much I was hurting, but judging by the concern
