Valine woke up one morning, her eyes darting around the room as her heart sank. The bed beside her was still empty, and a feeling of unease had settled in the pit of her stomach. It had been two days since her last encounter with Dimitri, and the absence of his presence left her feeling worried and anxious.

As she slowly got out of bed, the exhaustion in her eyes was evident. Dark circles had formed beneath them. She got dressed, choosing a simple yet elegant dress that clung to her figure, its deep shade of blue accentuating her striking features. Her hair cascaded in loose waves around her shoulders....