Alyssa

By the time King and Niko get up a few hours later, Zuri's wide awake, already drinking her morning bottle, and I'm pouring my second cup of coffee. The rich smell curls in the air, but it does nothing to ease the steady ache in my chest.

Niko steps into the kitchen, shirtless and groggy, his hair sticking up in every direction. He takes one look at me and arches a brow. "Since you never came back to bed, I'm assuming this isn't your first one?"

"Second," I mutter, ...