Morvienne's gaze lifted to meet his with a haze of confusion softening the edges of her vision. Her brows knit together faintly, a small furrow forming between them as she tilted her head just a fraction against the pillow.

The movement sent a dull ache radiating through her shoulder, but she ignored it, her lips parting on a hesitant breath.

"What... is it?" she murmured, her voice a fragile whisper that trembled at the edges, laced with uncertainty. Her eyes roamed his face, tracing the tight set of his jaw. "What—" she swallowed softly, "what did I do?"

Kael held her stare for a long moment. Then, without a word,...