Flonda stirred awake, blinking slowly as the first rays of dawn filtered into the tent. She stretched, her body still warm from the night before, but the spot next to her was already cold. Sitting up, she saw Voldrak, fully dressed, standing at the tent's entrance.
"My lord... where are you going?" she asked softly, sitting up, still groggy but already sensing that something wasn't right.
Voldrak didn't turn to face her. "I have things to handle," his voice was calm but carried an undercurrent of detachment. "You'll stay here. I'll be back."
Flonda's eyes narrowed. "Stay here? I can come with you," she replied, already scrambling off the bed and tossing the sheets aside, reaching for her clothes.
"No," Voldrak's voice was firmer now, his cool gaze finally meeting hers. "You're not."
"You can't just leave me behind! I've fought by your side. I can do more if—"
"I said no." His words cut through her protests like ice.
