Elara’s POVThe moment I saw him, my chest tightened. Aldric looked… broken and shattered.The light in his eyes, that was normally so fierce, was dulled by exhaustion and worry. His posture slumped, shoulders heavy with invisible weight.Even from where I stood, I could sense the storm he carried inside him, and my heart clenched.Without thinking, I crossed the space between us.When I reached him, I didn’t pause. I wrapped my arms around him, pulling him close to me.He stiffened for a heartbeat, shocked by my reaction, but then melted against my hug.His head pressed into my shoulder, and I felt the subtle tremor of his hands as they held against my back.He had come from the hospital… I knew it.I saw when he drove off and judging by the loom on his face, I knew it wasn't good news about Seraphina.“Aldric,” I whispered, my voice trembling even as I tried to steady it. “Shh… it’s okay. I’m here.”He didn’t respond at first, only pressed himself harder against me. I could feel the
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