جميع فصول : الفصل -الفصل 50

 Riven’s POV The first arrow came out of nowhere right after I spoke, slicing the air just inches from Keira’s face. What the fuck was she doing?!Keira gasped, and I didn’t hesitate. I grabbed her and pulled her behind me, putting my body between hers and the trees.“Stay down,” I hissed.Another arrow shot past, brushing my shoulder. I drew my blade, scanning the treeline. Three masked figures stepped into view—silent, coordinated. They were disguised as contestants, but they were just killers. And I sure as hell didn’t plan for this. Keira trembled behind me. “Who—”“Don’t talk. Just stay behind me.” I snapped.She flinched, and before I had time to know what was happening, they rushed us.The first attacker lunged low. I dodged, slashing my blade hard. It connected, cutting through fabric and flesh. I tried no

POV: RivenI felt her hands trembling against my skin as she pressed a strip of cloth over my wound.I should’ve stopped her.She didn’t want to be here. She didn’t want to touch me. But she was doing it anyway. That was the worst part.“You should let it bleed,” Keira muttered under her breath, not meeting my eyes.I didn’t answer.I closed my eyes and let her hands work, small and warm and hesitant. I didn’t deserve them. Didn’t deserve her kindness after everything I’d done. I could smell her shame, feel the quiet tremble in her breath. I’d kissed her like I had a right to. And I didn’t. I never had. And to think it wasn’t the first time either. Guilt clawed its way through my chest, sharp and ugly.This wasn’t how it was supposed to go.She was supposed to look at me differently. Be grateful I saved her. Be afraid of what would happen if I wasn’t there. But instead… she looked more alone than ever. Not clinging. Not softening. Not breaking in the way I thought she would.And I’d

DAXThe second they brought her in, I stopped breathing.Keira’s body was limp in Ciro’s arms—bloodied, scraped, her pale skin smeared with dried mud and streaks of crimson. Her head lolled forward, and I saw how lifeless she looked. How her chest barely moved.My hands trembled. I didn’t wait for anyone to speak. I grabbed a wet cloth from the nearby tray and dropped to my knees beside the cot they laid her on. My fingers brushed over her temple, gently pushing back her matted hair. Her skin burned under my touch, but she didn’t flinch. She didn’t wake.Her face looked like she’d been crying. What…what happened out there? I searched around her for the tiny Nyri she was always with, but that little creature seemed nowhere to be found. He would know what happened. “I’m sorry,” I whispered, even though I knew she couldn’t hear me. “I should’ve been there. I should’ve—”“Where is she?!” Kai’s voice sliced through the tent like a blade.I surprised the urge to groan. Footsteps thudded

POV: KeiraThe garden was quieter at night.I sat on the cold marble bench, arms wrapped around my knees, the soft rustle of leaves the only sound in the stillness. Moonlight painted silver streaks across the flowers and stones, but it did nothing to warm the ache in my chest.It had been three days since they discharged me from the healer’s tent. Three days since I screamed in that cave, since Riven told me Kai killed my brother, since I stopped looking anyone in the eye.I hadn’t spoken to any of them since.Not Dax, even though I knew he hovered just outside the corridors. Not Kai. I couldn’t even look at him. I didn’t know if what Riven said was true, but deep down, it felt true. And that feeling alone was worse than anything.Nylo lay curled on my shoulder, his tiny breath soft and steady against my neck. He hadn’t left my side once. Not even when I stopped eating. Not even when I cried so hard my voice disappeared.“I hate this place,” I whispered, staring at the moon. “I hate a

Kai’s POVI couldn’t breathe.Not because the room was full or the air was thin, but because her words hit me like a blade to the chest.“I withdraw from the Trials.”Keira’s voice rang out so clear, so sharp, that the room seemed to still in its wake. Even the wind outside seemed to pause, like the entire world had to listen.She stood in the center of the court, her back straight, eyes empty. Her pain wasn’t loud—it wasn’t screaming or tearing at her clothes like the other girls might have done. It was in the stillness. The finality. Like her soul had left long before her body did.I froze.Dax rose instantly, stepping toward her, voice low. “Keira… please don’t do this. You’re almost there.”She didn’t look at him. Not even a flicker. It was like she had already left.Someone on the council sputtered. Then another.“What nonsense is this?”“She cannot just leave—”“This breaks tradition!”Their protests came fast and loud, bouncing off the stone walls like thunder.My father, seate