~ALARIC'S POV
My fingers moved slowly across the surface of the manuscript, tracing the raised ink that I had long since memorized.
The quiet had been uninterrupted until a dull ache settled behind my eyes, faint at first, enough to be ignored if it had not lingered longer than it should have.
I tightened my hold on the parchment, waiting for it to pass, but the sensation did not fade. It deepened instead, pressing further until it felt wrong in a way I could not dismiss.
The discomfort eased for a brief moment, and in that space, my thoughts turned.
Khaos.
The bond between us had not stirred.
Dove.
That should not have been possible. The concealment I placed on her severed everything that could be traced back to me. There was nothing left that should have reached this far.
The pain returned without warning, far worse than before.
The manuscript slipped from my hand and fell to the floor as my fingers moved to my temple, pressing hard in a useless attempt to contain it.
