Aria’s POV…

Sleep took me like a thief.

Not gently.

Not kindly.

One moment I was wrapped in darkness, Kaelen’s presence lingering like warmth against my spine even though he wasn’t beside me—and the next, the world fell away.

I gasped.

Air rushed into my lungs, sharp and cold, burning as though I’d been underwater too long.

I stood barefoot on stone.

Ancient stone.

A vast circular platform stretched beneath my feet, etched with runes that glowed faintly ...