The first thing River became aware of was the warmth of the bed beneath her, the familiar scent of sandalwood and pine lingering on the pillow beside her. Her lashes fluttered as her eyes opened, only to be greeted by an empty space where Heiko’s solid presence should have been.
She stared at the vacant spot beside her for a few moments, oddly grateful for the temporary solitude. Her fingers brushed against the linen sheet absently as her mind stirred, and the weight of the last conversation came crashing down on her chest like a tidal wave.
Heiko wasn't here.
And for once, that was good. Because she needed to breathe. She needed to collect the shattered pieces of her mind and heart that had scattered across the confines of Queen Alia’s office like broken glass.
Her parents… or the peo
