For a moment she did not move. The warmth still wrapped around her, lingering in the sheets, holding the ghost of his body and the faint, grounding scent of cedar and rain-soaked night that always clung to him. Then her hand moved, searching, tracing the space beside her, still warm, but empty.
Her brows drew together as she pushed herself upright, slower than usual, her body still heavy with the aftereffects of exhaustion and the slow, profound recovery that came after everything she had endured. She reached for the lamp, soft light spilling into the room like moonlight filtered through city haze, gently pushing back the shadows that clung to the corners.
"Kade…"
No answer. The quiet told her everything. He had left.
