**Dragons' POV**
The cold air brushed against my skin, stirring me awake. My eyes fluttered open to the dimly lit room, and I immediately felt the emptiness beside me.
She was gone.
I sat up, rubbing a hand over my face, trying to clear the remnants of my intoxicated mind. But even through the haze, I remembered every word I had said to her.
I had exposed a part of myself I swore I never would.
A curse slipped from my lips as I swung my legs off the bed. My head throbbed, but the pain was nothing compared to the dull ache in my chest. I had let my guard down, and I knew Araya had seen it.
I could still feel the warmth of her presence, the lingering scent of her skin.
Had she judged me for my weakness? Did she think less of me now?
Or worse-did she pity me?
The thought made my jaw clench. I couldn't allow that.
A flicker of movement caught my eye. The door was slightly ajar, the faintest sliver of light seeping through. I knew where she had gone.