Unspoken Hunger

Maverick’s POV

I stood in front of the window, tall and still, one hand resting on the edge of the frame like I was trying to feel something that wasn’t there. The wind outside howled, sharp and dry, scraping against the palace walls like it was dragging secrets with it. I didn’t blink. I didn’t shift. Just stared at the thick horizon as the moon sank behind the trees.

I hadn’t slept. Not since th