The first week without the full bond was agony.
Nyx found herself reaching for Raziel through their connection constantly, only to hit the dampening barrier. She could sense he was alive, but nothing like the detailed awareness they'd shared.
Her sessions with Umbra continued, but they felt hollow.
"You're distracted." Umbra said during their fourth session after the dampening. "You're present physically but absent emotionally."
"I can't stop thinking about Raziel, about what he's feeling without the bond to tell me. What if he's suffering and I don't know? What if he needs me and can't reach me?"
"Then he'll communicate through other channel." Umbra moved closer to her. "But I think you're using this as an excuse to avoid being completely present with me."
"I don't know how to be with you without feeling like I'm betraying him."
"Even though he gave permission for this arrangement?"
