It was Elara, standing at the doorway. How did she know to come over? She hadn’t called or even left a message. I moved towards her, but instead of looking at me, her attention was on Jai. She must have been wondering if he was well enough to have been discharged. Not after the incident from earlier that could have caused her damage.

I watched her closely, taking in her beautiful features, from her long curls that fell perfectly down her back, to her face, even to her shoes. I wouldn’t say ...