Kaelith
Aria stops hiding her exhaustion badly by the end of the week.
That is the problem.
Not the exhaustion itself. The fact I notice it before she realizes anyone else can.
Interesting. Dangerous.
The bond feels wrong constantly now. Not unstable. Overextended. The connection strains beneath too many emotions layered together: kingdom fear, council pressure, political manipulation, responsibility, and Aria carrying all of it at the center.
Gods. Everyone keeps taking pieces from her. And the worst part? She keeps giving them willingly.
I stand near the balcony windows inside Cassian’s upper council chamber while another meeting drags endlessly toward disaster.
Lucien argues quietly with several wolf advisors over trade restrictions. Cassian reviews military reports beside Ryde
