Darkness had already fallen when Kaya stirred awake. Her lashes fluttered, and a faint heaviness still clung to her head, but she felt better—steady enough. As her eyes adjusted, she realized Veer was sitting just behind her.
His wings were stretched out, arched above her like a shield. They didn't rest on her body but hovered in the air, forming a little roof of feathers that wrapped her in their shadow.
Kaya blinked at the strange sight, her brows knitting. She shifted, and her throat rasped with dryness.
"Uh…" Her voice cracked, followed by a sharp cough—cough. She winced, pressing a hand to her throat. "What… what are you doing here? And what is this?" She pointed weakly upward at his wings.
Veer glanced at the arch of feathers, then slowly began to fold them back. The movement dragged a low, rough sound from him—nghh… ahh—a groan that slipped before he could stop it.
Kaya's frown deepened instantly. "You've been like this… ever since I slept?"
