-51-

|ASTRAEA|

I jolted awake, gasping for breath as I found myself in my chamber, disoriented and confused. How did I get here? The last thing I remembered was being with Kallias, his lips on mine, the intensity of his gaze searing through me.

My heart raced as I struggled to make sense of what had just happened. Kallias... I couldn't shake the memory of his touch, his scent lingering in the air around me like a haunting whisper.

“Asana,” I whispered, seeking solace in the familiar presence in my mind.

‘I’m lost for words,’ Asana murmured, her tone reflecting the turmoil within me.

Before I could gather my thoughts, the door burst open, and Eloise rushed into the room, her expression a mixture of shock and concern.

She wasted no time in crossing the room, her footsteps echoing in the tense silence. With a swift motion, she slapped my back, the sting jolting me into awareness.

“Seriously?” Eloise's voice was a mix of disbelief and reproach. “You were with Kallias! Do you know how Ori