Evaline:
My heart ached.
Not the dull kind of ache that faded if you ignored it, but the sharp, persistent pain that sat right behind my ribs and refused to leave. The kind that made breathing feel heavier than it should be.
Draven.
Even thinking his name felt like pressing on a bruise.
I had seen him a few days ago... his still form lying peacefully in the basement of Thorne mansion, his chest rising and falling slowly, his face untouched by time or pain. He looked like he was just sleeping. Like he might open his eyes any second and grin at me, say something reckless, tease me, and pull me into his arms like he always did.
But that wasn't really seeing him.
It had been months since I had seen the real Draven.
