Evaline:
I slept better that night than I had in days.
The knot in my chest from keeping the 'River' secret was gone, and with Oscar's arm heavy across my waist and Draven's steady breath warming the back of my neck, I felt… safe. Anchored.
I didn't wake until sunlight was already spilling across my bed. Both of them were still there, like they had no intention of letting me start the new year without them. I might have let them stay all morning if I didn't know how stubborn they could be, but at nine, I gave them each a firm shove.
"Go," I ordered, trying not to laugh at their groggy protests. "Shower. Dress. I want breakfast before noon."
They finally left, dragging their feet like children told to clean their rooms.
