Chapter 277

AURELIA’S POV I woke to warmth. Not the warmth of the sun, or the strange, perfect house I had been caged in. This was familiar—the weight of my own blanket, the faint scent of cedar from the wooden walls of my room. My lashes fluttered, heavy, and when I opened my eyes, the sight froze me. My family. Father at the foot of the bed, his proud shoulders drawn tight. Mother beside him, her eyes red as though she had been crying. Even Seraphina—her face pale, lips pressed together in an expression that almost looked like guilt. Their eyes locked on me, filled with something I had not expected to see again: concern. For a moment, I thought I was still dreaming. “Aurelia,” Mother breathed, her hand half-lifting as if to reach for me before she stopped herself. “You’re awake. Thank the Goddess.” I shifted slowly, the ache in my head flaring as I tried to sit upright. “What… happened?” My voice was hoarse, foreign in my own throat. “You were taken,” Father said gravely, his tone edged with fur