Chapter 36 Thirty-five

• Draeven woke at dawn to discover the opposite side of the bed cold and vacant. The warmth of Avelyn's presence had already faded into a far-off memory. A soft chuckle slipped from him as he sat up, the blanket slipping away to showcase the remnants of their union—bloodstains on the sheets, undeniable evidence that she had been his first. A profound sense of satisfaction settled inside him as he breathed in, her lingering scent still lingering in the air.
• Getting out of bed, he stretched, letting the morning light pour into the room. The golden beams illuminated the traces of their night together, filling him with renewed determination as he began to prepare for the day.
• Meanwhile, Avelyn paced nervously beside her bed, nibbling on her finger's tip as her thoughts raced. Nearby, Elanthia stirred, rubbing her eyes before looking at her friend. "Avelyn? Good morning. You seem troubled. What's wrong? " she inquired, her voice still heavy with sleep.