CHAPTER 82

I woke to the faint rustle of pages and the soft, steady rhythm of someone breathing. My eyes fluttered open, adjusting to the dim morning light, and there he was—sitting at the side of my bed, his head slightly tilted as he read one of the books from my nightstand.

It had become a quiet, unspoken ritual between us. I would read late into the night, leaving the book on my nightstand when exhaustion finally pulled me under. And without fail, every morning, he would be there—reading that very book as though it were his personal task to inspect my nightly choices.

Today, his posture was relaxed but poised, one leg crossed over the other as his fingers lightly traced the edge of the page. His red eyes, glowing faintly even in the soft light, darted across the text with unnerving focus. If he noticed me staring, he didn't say anything at first, and I took the moment to stare him.