Elias’s POV

Ronan didn’t sleep. I knew it even before I opened my eyes.

The room was dim; just the faint blue glow of the shield panel humming softly. I was still lying on the bed, half-covered by Ronan’s jacket, my body finally cooling, the worst of the scenting crash fading.

Ronan stood by the door like he’d been carved there. Arms crossed, Eyes open.

Back straight, Breathing steady in a way that meant he’d forced it to be.

“Ronan,” I murmured.

He didn’t move right away, ...