Malric's Pov

Celia's chambers were quiet. Too quiet. The scent of lavender oil still lingered in the air, faint but soothing, a fragrance she always loved. Yet now it only made me restless.

She sat by the window, her hair spilling over her shoulders in soft curls, the moonlight catching strands of gold in the dark. For a moment, I just stood there, watching her - breathing in the silence between us.

When she turned, her eyes softened. "You came," she said quietly.

"I did," I replied, crossing the room until I stood a few feet from her. "I heard you were awake. I wanted to make sure you were...