Josie
The early light creeping through the curtains nudged me awake. My head throbbed dully, the kind of headache that came with too many emotions and too little sleep. I stirred under the covers, groaning quietly as I turned my head—and that was when I saw him.
Varen.
He was still standing by the window, arms folded across his chest, the faintest hint of concern carved into the sharp lines of his face. His gaze wasn't on anything in particular—it just floated somewhere in the distance, lost in thought. The fact that he was still here, that he hadn't left me alone through the night, made something warm twist in my chest.
I sighed, pushing the covers back slightly, trying to sit up despite the pulsing in my skull. My movement must have startled him because he turned instantly and rushed to my side, kneeling by the bed with his hand already reaching for my shoulder.
"Hey, easy," he murmured. "You're awake. Are you okay? You need anything?"
