THORNE POINT OF VIEW

I did not sleep, not truly.

I lay on my back in the quiet dark of my chamber, staring at the ceiling as the night stretched on, every sound too sharp, every silence too loud. The fire had long since burned low, embers glowing faintly like watchful eyes. My armor rested where I had left it, untouched. Forgotten.

All I could think about was her.

The kiss replayed itself without mercy, not as something heated or reckless, but slow, careful, devastating in its simplicity. ...