POV: Riley
I woke with the taste of ash in my mouth.
For a moment, I didn’t know where I was—only that something was wrong. The air felt too heavy, like a storm trapped inside stone. My heart was racing, my skin cold despite the warmth of the chamber.
Moonlight spilled through the tall glass windows of my room, painting silver across the floor.
Safe.
Palace.
Home.
And yet dread sat in my chest like a living thing.
I pressed a hand over my heart, trying to slow my breathing. The dream—no, the presence—still lingered. I hadn’t seen anything clearly. No vision like Alex’s. No images. Just a feeling.
Like something had brushed against my soul.
I slid from the bed and crossed the room, bare feet silent against the marble. Outside, the Moon hung full and bright, serene and watchful. Th
