Hannah POVReturningLeaving the hospital felt heavier than I expected.Not physically. My body was still recovering, but I could walk now, slowly, with care. The healers insisted I take it easy, but they also said I was strong enough to return to the palace.It wasn’t that I didn’t want to go back.It was just… everything tied to that place felt different now.I stood just outside the hospital doors, the morning air brushing lightly against my skin. It felt fresh. Alive. Like the world had moved forward, even when everything in my life had paused.“You don’t have to rush,” Riven said beside me.I glanced at him.“I’m not rushing,” I replied.He studied me for a second, like he was trying to read between my words.“You’re thinking,” he said.I let out a small breath.“Of course I am.”He nodded slightly, like that was expected.Because it was.There was too much to think about.Too much had happened.Too much had changed.Behind us, Kael spoke to one of the guards, giving instructions
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