Anya’s POV
The next morning, when I arrived at the mansion, I could tell something was different right away.
Orion looked… better.
Not completely fine, but better enough that my chest loosened a little. The sharp paleness was gone from his face, and his eyes looked clearer, more focused. He was dressed already, sitting up instead of lying flat, his posture straighter. He still looked tired, but it was the kind of tired that comes after surviving something, not the kind that scares you.
I paused at the doorway longer than I meant to, just looking at him.
“You look better,” I said finally, stepping inside.
He glanced up at me and gave a small nod. “I feel better,” he replied. His voice was steadier too.
Relief washed over me, quiet but deep. I hadn’t realized how much I’d been holding
