Morning arrived softly, like a careful guest afraid to disturb the fragile quiet of the infirmary wing. Pale light filtered through tall arched windows and settled across the white sheets where Aria lay awake, listening to the hush of the citadel as it stirred to life. The fever had finally broken in the night. The poison that once burned like ice through her veins had retreated, chased back by the fierce surge of Moonfire that had flared from her without warning.
Her body still felt heavy, as if she had run for miles through snow, but her mind was clear in a way it had not been for days.
And painfully aware.
Aware of the echo that lingered beneath her ribs.
Aware of him.
She turned her head toward the empty chair beside her bed. Kaden had been there when she fell asleep, sitting stif
