The morning sunlight filtered softly through the tall windows of their chamber, casting golden rays across the stone floor and the soft bed where River lay. Her eyes fluttered open slowly, the lingering pull of sleep trying to keep her in its embrace—but the weight on her chest reminded her what day it was.
Today was supposed to be the beginning of everything.
Her first training as an empath. The first step toward understanding her true nature.
She sat up quietly, her mind already racing.
What if I can’t control it? What if I hurt someone? What if… I fail?
She was still swimming in uncertainty when Heiko stirred beside her, rubbing the sleep from his eyes before instinctively reaching for her. His arm settled around her waist, pulling her close. She didn’t protest. His presence was gr
