Malrik POV

A morning summons always left a bitter taste in my mouth but this one felt different. Heavier. Drethos had made his intentions clear, and I had no doubt he would follow through. Still, I hadn’t expected him to act this swiftly.

A quiet tension gnawed at me as I swung my legs off the bed, mindful not to wake Dravina. She lay curled beneath the covers, her face softened by the kind of peace sleep rarely granted her. She needed this rest more than I needed a farewell.

Each creak of ...