Meredith.
Stepping out of my bedroom, I nearly walked straight into a broad chest.
My heart jumped a beat before settling when I realised it was Draven, also on his way downstairs.
"Good morning," I greeted quickly, before my courage slipped away.
He looked at me — really looked, as though weighing my mood — then his gaze eased.
"Morning," he replied, his tone even, as if yesterday's disagreement over that pregnant human woman had never happened.
I could almost see the tiny spark of surprise in his dark eyes.
Of course, he would be surprised; he must have thought I'd spend the morning sulking or giving him cold shoulders.
But truly, I had already fought that battle last night — between Valmora's hard truths and my own tangled feelings.
And the truth was: Draven wasn't wrong, even if I didn't fully like it.
