The sunlight streams through the window, too bright and too eager to announce the new day.
I groan, rolling onto my side and burying my face into the pillow. "Cassidy," I mumble, hoping she'll pull the curtains closed and let me stay here just a little longer.
Her voice, annoyingly chipper, comes from across the room. "You've been on bed rest for two weeks. You should be excited you finally get to leave here today."
"Excited? For what? More endless chores and judging stares?" I grumble, my words muffled by the pillow.
She strides over, tugging at the blanket I've clutched tightly around me. "Excited because you won't be stuck in this bed anymore. Now, get up."
"No."
"Yes."
"No." I clutch the blanket tighter, refusing to budge.
She huffs. "Don't make me drag you out of this bed, Lilah."
I peek out from under the blanket. "You wouldn't dare."
Her eyes narrow, and she places her hands on her hips. "Try me."
There's a little stare off, her determined glare versus my unwillingness to move. But, as always, her persistence wins.
With an overly dramatic groan, I toss the blanket aside. "Fine. You're impossible."
"And you're stubborn," she retorts, offering a smug smile as I swing my legs over the side of the bed.
Dragging myself to the bathroom, I shut the door behind me. It's been two weeks since I've faced the council, and going on two weeks since I last saw Caspian.
I don't know why, but I thought he'd visit frequently. After the day he walked out of this room, reassuring me that my duties would be revised, I haven't as little as heard word from him.
It leaves me curious though.
What chores are they going to put me on now?
With a sigh, I shrug out of my clothes and step into the shower. If this bath can wash him out of my mind the way it'll wash the grime off my skin, I'd be very elated to say the least.
The hot water from the shower feels like heaven on my stiff muscles, and for a moment, I let myself relax.
But then, I notice something drip down my legs. The subtle scent of copper fills the air and I see a faint trail of red moving down the drain with the water.
My stomach tightens, and I groan aloud. Of course, it has to be now.
I poke my head out of the bathroom, relieved to find that Cassidy is still in the room, perched on the bed. She looks up at me before I have to call her attention, and her brows raise up in question.
"Can you grab me some pads? It's... uh... that time."
She laughs. "Got it. Be right back."
Once the door shuts behind her, the light energy fades, leaving me alone with my sad thoughts.
My mind drifts, as it always does when there's no one to distract me.
I think about my former pack. My uncle's stern face flashes in my memory, his disappointment like a heavy weight on my chest.
And Theo... He always tried to help in his way, but even he couldn't shield me from the cruelty of the others.
No one has come looking for me. Not once since I left. I'd held onto a small, foolish hope that someone might care enough to check if I was okay.
But they didn't.
And Darius... His sneering face looms in my mind. I can still hear his voice, full of mockery, as he rejected me in front of everyone.
The memory stings, and I feel the familiar burn of tears in the corners of my eyes. I blink rapidly, shaking my head. No. I won't cry over them. Not anymore.
The door creaks open, and Cassidy's voice pulls me out of my thoughts. "Got them!" She waves the small bag triumphantly before setting it on the counter.
"Thanks," I mutter, focusing on finishing up and stepping out of the bathroom.
The thoughts don't just die down, and I have to tuck it into a deep corner of my mind to be able to keep up with Cassidy's energy.
It would be a bomber if she's too excited and I'm just a walking cloud of grey by her side. A mismatched pair.
We leave the hospital not long after, the doctor reminding me—yet again—to take my pills and get plenty of rest.
Cassidy nods along like a mother hen, making promises on my behalf. I don't bother arguing.
The fresh air hits me as soon as we step outside, and I take a deep breath. Two weeks cooped up in that stuffy room felt like an eternity.
Our walk back to the pack house—or rather, the pack mansion—is quiet at first. I'm too focused on the ache in my legs and the exhaustion that still lingers.
But we're not alone for long. We run into Ethan halfway there. He looks awkward, shifting on his feet as if unsure whether to speak.
His usual cold and supreme aura is not quite gone, but tucked away. A quick glance at Cassidy, and I know why.
"Hey," he starts, scratching the back of his neck. "I just wanted to... apologize. For, uh, everything."
I wave it off. "It's fine. Really."
His shoulders relax slightly, but there's still tension in his gaze. I notice the way he looks at her—like he's waiting for her to say something.
She doesn't.
The air between them feels charged, but I don't press. Whatever's going on, it's not my business.
"I just want you to know that I didn't really think you were capable of all that. I just...I just needed to take extra precautions to avoid–"
"Yeah, that's enough," Cassidy cuts off. "She just got out of the hospital and the last thing she needs is you. Okay?"
He glares at her, his supreme aura returning, but she glares back and he doesn't say anything further. Just nods.
Huh? Since when did she know how and where to push his boundaries?
"Whatever happened, it's past now." I make a final effort to cut through the hard tension between them and his blue eyes find mine.
They aren't cold like in the throne room that day. Just... normal, beautiful eyes. He nods and before he says anything else, Cassidy pulls my arm and leads us last him.
I notice her glance over her shoulder at him, but she doesn't glare. Just...a quick peek.
"I still can't believe you haven't forgiven him."
"I have, but I'm not letting him get off easy. I'm putting all emotions aside."
"All emotions aside, huh? So you confess you do like him?"
She gives me a side glance and smiles, but she says nothing. I return her smile, not pushing any further and instead, enjoying the silence that settles between us.
We finally arrive at my room, where I collapse onto the bed with a sigh of relief. She sits on the edge, her hands folded neatly in her lap.
"So," she begins, her tone careful. "There have been a few updates while you were... out of commission."
I glance at her, raising an eyebrow. "Updates?"
She nods. "The council has decided to put in extra security measures. No more risks, no more breaches."
"Good."
Her expression darkens slightly. "They've also decided... Goldencrest won't be taking in rogues anymore."
"What?"
She looks away. "The person who helped the rogues breach the fence? He was a rogue too. One of the omega's."
I nod, taking her words in. I don't know how to feel. It's strange, I mean but...
Her voice softens. "I'm sorry. I know it's unfair."
I shake my head, forcing a small smile. "You shouldn't apologize. These measures are necessary. And besides, as long as the new rules don't affect me, I'm good."
She doesn't look convinced, but she doesn't push. Instead, she leans back, changing the subject to something lighter.
We talk for a while longer, her animated voice filling the silence. She tells me about the council's debates, about the new training schedules and patrol routes.
But there's one name conspicuously missing from her updates.
When our conversation winds down, I lie back against the pillow, staring at the ceiling. My thoughts drift to him.
Prince Caspian.
How can she possibly talk about the council so much and forget to talk about the one person who's been on my mind more than I care to admit?