Later, Samara woke up and noticed that it was now dark outside.
The fire in the hearth had burned down to glowing embers, casting the room in deep shadows. The silk sheets were tangled around her legs. Her head was still foggy from sleep, but her body felt stronger. The fever had broken.
She sat up slowly, her hand pressing against her forehead. Cool. The burning was gone. The pain in her stomach had faded to a dull ache. For the first time in hours, she could think clearly.
And Caelion was nowhere in sight.
Her eyes scanned the room. The chair by the fire was empty. The desk was abandoned. The bathroom door was open, revealing darkness inside.
He had left.
A strange feeling settled in her chest. Relief? Disappointment? She did not know. She did not want to know.
