That night, Madeline had difficulty going to sleep as she laid flat on the bed, her midnight hair sprawled over the pillow in waves. Her blank gaze was fixed on the ceiling, recalling everything that had happened at the palace, and how it all centered around her, including Cassian getting hurt all because of her.
The images played in her head, like a nightmare she couldn't stop visiting.
It still felt like some kind of dream, but the absence of someone beside her made her aware of the fact that it wasn't a dream. Looking at the empty space at her left, Madeline placed her hand there, and it felt cold to the touch, the familiar warmth of someone missing, and she wished for his presence again.
Her heart ached, and she wondered what he must be going through all by himself.
Was his wound getting treated? Or is he being punished? Did she make a mistake by leaving him all alone?