68. A Luna

|| Lilac’s POV || I woke to the cold emptiness of the bed, the sheets tangled around my legs and the space beside me devoid of Alaric’s warmth. My hand reached out instinctively, brushing against the cool fabric where he had lain. The absence of his body, his heat, his steady breathing, was jarring, and I felt a pang of longing that settled deep in my chest. I missed him already, and he hadn’t even been gone long. Sitting up, I ran a hand through my disheveled hair, the faint scent of pine and earth lingering on the pillow. My gaze fell to the oversized t-shirt I wore— one of Alaric’s— its soft fabric falling to my knees. I brought the collar to my nose, inhaling deeply. It smelled like him, like the woods after a rainstorm, like warmth and safety. For a moment, it felt as though he was still here, his arms wrapped around me, his breath warm against my skin. I stood, padding over to the mirror that hung on the far wall. My reflection stared back at me, my hair a mess of loose curls, my