Nyx's POV
"I'm fine!" I yelled at the closed wood, my voice cracking.
There was no way in hell I was opening this door. My skin was still buzzing, my pulse thrumming with the aftershocks of that dream. Facing Kael right now would be like walking into a furnace while soaked in gasoline.
"No, you are not," Kael's voice came back, lower and more grounded than mine, but I could feel his agitation vibrating through the bond like a live wire.
Then, the floorboards groaned under multiple sets of feet. Holy Goddess. Did I wake the entire household? This is very embarrassing.
"Honey, please open the door. It's me." My mother's voice was filled with panic.
"I promise you all, I'm fine!" I shouted, retreating further into my pillows as if they could shield me.
"Just open the door, Nyx. Let us be sure you're okay," my father urged, his deep baritone laced with that protective edge that usually made me feel safe, but right now just made me feel exposed.
