Zariah woke before the sun, the city a soft blue beyond the curtains. For a moment, she let herself forget - forget the journal, the photo and the warnings. All she felt was the warmth of Dorian's arm draped over her waist, the steady rise and fall of his chest against her back.
Safe. Just for a heartbeat.
Then reality returned like a bitter wind.
She turned gently, studying him. In sleep, the hard edge of his face softened and he looked younger, almost innocent but Zariah knew better now. There were truths buried in him, just as dangerous as those in her mother's journal.
She slipped out of bed, carefully not to wake him. Padding the window, she pulled the curtain aside. Dawn painted the city in gold and ash, a reminder that nothing stayed hidden forever.
The flash drive Nova had given her burned in her mind but she hadn't looked at it yet. Part of her was afraid. Part of her already knew, once she did, there will be no turning back.
Behind her, she heard the soft rustle of sheets.
"Couldn't sleep?" Dorian's voice was rough with sleep, intimate in the quiet room.
"I didn't want to wake you."
He sat up, watching her with unreadable eyes. "Zariah... I meant what I said. I'm not your enemy."she crossed her arms over the oversized shirt she wore, his shirt. "Then stop hiding things from me. I need to know the truth."
He exhaled slowly, running a hand through his hair. "There are things I can't protect you from if you know. Your mother tried. Look what it cost her."
Pain sliced through her at the mention of her mother. She hated that she was right but she hated the secret more.
"I'm done being protected," she said softly. "I need to understand what she was fighting and why I'm part of it."
Dorian stood, crossing the room. He cupped her face with his hands, his thumbs brushing her cheekbones. "Then we do this together but promise me you will be careful."
Their lips met again, slower this time, like an unspoken pack.
But as the city woke beneath them, Zariah knew the edge they walked was razor thin and the morning would bring more than just light, it would bring danger and choices she couldn't escape.