Waking up, I thought I would find them on either side of me. My heart fluttered at the idea of opening my eyes to their warmth. Last night had been such a sudden change — the first time I’d felt truly desired, wanted, and in so many ways, needed.
But when my eyes blinked open and I shifted around, the space beside me was empty. No one. Only silence.
The room, however, was covered in flowers, and presents.
There were so many new things, so many colors and scents, my eyes couldn’t stop darting from one detail to another. My cautious mind, always on guard, searched instinctively for Lyra. She was there, padding closer but still low to the floor, as if sensing my rising tension.
Why did they leave?
Was last night a dream?
Did I do something wrong?
Panic washed over me as my hand went to
