Chapter 23

Aurelia POV

The medical wing of the Redmoon estate was bathed in the dim silver glow of twilight. The scent of crushed elderberry, dried lavender, and silver-leaf tincture hung thick in the air, a constant reminder of the physical wreckage left behind by the mate bond backlash.

I sat on the edge of the stone window hearth, pulling my wool shawl tight around my trembling shoulders. My magic felt like barely glowing coals deep in my belly—slowly rekindling, but still fragile. Every time I closed my eyes, the ghost of Draven’s violent roar resonated through my blood, accompanied by the nightmare memory of Kellan’s heavy hands around the young servant girl’s throat.

A quiet knock echoed at the heavy oak door before it creaked open. Cassian stepped inside, carrying a small tray with a steaming mug of herbal tea and a rolled leather binder of tactical reports.

He didn’t step close immediately. He paused by the hearth, his dark-blue eyes scanning my face with