ARIA'S POV
Morning light spilled through the curtains, in orange and pink colors. The soft rustling of leaves and bird singing songs outside the window was the first thing I heard when my eyes opened. My body still felt heavy from the ritual, like the magic hadn't completely faded yet. My hand moved to my belly. She was quiet again, as if she too needed time to recover.
Kael was already up, speaking in a low voice near the door. He turned when he saw me stirring and gave a small nod. His expression was different this morning. Focused and tensed.
"What is it?" I asked, sitting up slowly.
"There's trouble near the northern border," he said. "One of our patrols caught a rogue spy. He's being held at the watch post."
I stood quickly, heart pounding. "A spy?"
Draven entered the room next, followed by Thorne and Silas. The air around them was serious.
