Elias’s POV

Ronan didn’t say anything after that.

Not for a long time.

He just stayed beside the bed, still holding my hand loosely, like he was giving me room to pull away if I wanted to. I didn’t.

His presence felt like a heavy, warm shield pressed between me and the rest of the academy. Every breath I took felt easier than the last.

Eventually, he leaned back in the chair he’d dragged close earlier. His fingers were still wrapped around mine.

“You should try to sleep,” he ...