ARIA POINT OF VIEW.

The morning air in the courtyard was cool and clean, the kind that made breathing feel easier.

Thorne stood a few steps away from me, speaking quietly with one of the guards, his posture calm but alert as always. He looked like he hadn’t slept much. I could tell by the slight shadow under his eyes.

When the guard left, Thorne turned to me. His gaze softened the moment it met mine.

“You’re awake early,” he said. “I was worried you might still be ...