~The Burn~

EIRA

I woke to the sound of slow ragged breathing and for a second, I thought it was my own until I realized it came from beside me.

"Elrich…" My voice cracked as the word barely left my lips.

He was there, slumped in a chair by the bed, his head resting in his hands. He looked like he hadn’t slept in days... and apparently, he hadn’t.

When he lifted his head, the relief on his face said it all. "Eira," he breathed, like he’d been holding that name hostage in his chest. ...