His eyes snap open immediately, and the intensity in them steals what little breath I have left.
“You’re awake.” He leans forward, relief washing over his face. “Thank the gods.”
I close my eyes again. Can’t look at him. Can’t deal with whatever this is.
“Daciana.”
“I’m tired.”
“I know.” His voice is gentle. Too gentle. “What happened?”
“I was attacked.” The words come out flat. Emotionless.
“By whom?”
“A wolf. Shifter, I think. Too big to be wild.”
Silence. Then: “How did you end up in that position? You’re one of the best soldiers here.”
My jaw tightens. “I was tired. Caught off guard.”
“Tired?”
“Yes.”
“When do you sleep, Daciana?”
“When I’m not working.”
“That’s not an answer.”
I open my eyes, meeting his gaze. “It’s not your business.”
His expression hardens. “You almost died. That makes it my business.”
“No, it doesn’t.” My hands fist in the sheets, and I can feel them trembling. Exhaustion. Always exhaustion. “I was punished for not telling my commander about the attack on you. That’s why I was given additional duties. Night rounds. Every night. Indefinitely.”
His jaw clenches. “Indefinitely? For how long have you been doing this?”
“Eight days.”
“Eight days of night patrol on top of your regular guard duties?” His voice drops dangerously low. “With no end in sight? That’s—”
“My punishment.” I close my eyes briefly. “I deserved it. I should have reported the incident immediately.”
“You were protecting me.”
“I was being insubordinate.” The word tastes sour on my tongue. “Seth was right to discipline me.”
Silence stretches between us, heavy with things unsaid.
“I’ll be fine,” I add. “Once I rest a bit, I’ll be back to my duties.”
“If one of your wolves hadn’t come to get me,” he says quietly, “I wouldn’t have known you were dying out there.”
My eyes snap open, meeting his, as the rest of my body goes rigid. “What wolves?”
He smiles now, just a slight curve of his lips. “I already know of your gift, little wolf. I will not tell anyone, so you don’t have to lie to me.”
