Lilith POV
Waking up was harder than it should have been.
Lilith opened her eyes to afternoon sunlight streaming through the window and felt like she was trying to drag herself out of quicksand.
Everything was heavy. Her limbs. Her head. Even her eyelids felt like they weighed more than they should.
But she was awake.
Alive.
For now.
Lilith pushed herself upright slowly...careful, testing her body's limits and immediately felt the bonds flare to life.
Not painful. Not overwhelming. Just present in a way they had not been before.
She could feel Nicholas somewhere in the estate. Feel his steady presence like a beacon. Feel the careful control he was maintaining over emotions that wanted to spiral.
Could feel Sebastian closer. In the hallway maybe. Or just outside the door. His anxiety bleeding through the connection like static.
Could feel Lucian pacing somewhere below. Restless energy and barely contained panic making the bond between them pulse erratically.
