Dravina POV
Morning arrived quietly, and when I opened my eyes, I was alone.
The space beside me in the bed was already cold Malrikarion was gone.
It felt... strange. Uncharacteristic of him to leave without a word. But then again, we were still learning each other’s rhythms, still adjusting to the fragile balance of sharing the same space. Perhaps there would be mornings like this where duty called him before I ever stirred.
Even so, without his warmth beside me, the room felt emptier. Colder.
Aveline arrived shortly after, her usual efficiency still intact, but there was a heaviness about her today a subdued energy that clung to her like morning fog.
I watched her work in silence for a while, hesitant to ask. It wasn’t my place to pry. But the longer she moved around me without a w
