Ari:
I didn’t look back.
Not when his voice broke around my name or I heard the crunch of gravel under his boots as he hesitated at the threshold. If I turned, I’d unravel. And I couldn’t afford that.
Not tonight.
The castle corridors swallowed me whole. Cold light from floating sconces flickered along the stones, but none of it touched me. I moved like a shadow through the academy’s bones, barely breathing. Every step was a scream I didn’t let out.
I believe the curse is real. I meant it.
But what I hadn’t said—what I hadn’t dared to say—was that it wasn’t just the curse pulling me toward him anymore. That terrified me more than anything the exiled witch had shown us.
Because if it wasn’t the curse, if it was me, then I was willingly stepping into the mouth of the storm. Into him.
I slipped into my chamber and locked the door with a flick. No, it wasn't for safety, but it was nice to feel like something was still within my control.
My hand throbbed where I’d sliced it, a blood-echo
