I trained alone before anyone else was up.

Just because my body needed to move while my mind processed. I ran the training yard through the dawn and thought about last night and what it meant and what came next.

The bond was warm and steady. For the first time, not a source of pain.

The absence of the pain was almost disorienting.

I expected guilt.

I expected panic.

Maybe even regret.

Instead, there was a strange calm sitting underneath everything.

I had kissed Cassian.

Not because of ...