Merik’s POVThe air vanished from my lungs. My ribs felt as if they were being crushed and heat spreading through my blood from my core outward to my fingertips.My skin felt on fire.I gripped the edge of the desk, my knuckles turning white as I tried to draw a single breath.‘What is happening?’On the far corner of the desk, my phone began to vibrate, its screen lighting up with an incoming call.I forced my right arm to move, every nerve ending screaming in pain as I reached toward it.My fingers brushed over it just as the call disconnected.A second later, it rang again.I dragged the phone toward me with a trembling hand and managed to swipe the screen open."Merikh?" Maya's voice came through the speaker, tight and anxious. "Merikh, it's me. I need to update you on my timeline in Red Leaf. I'm staying at the palace until–"I opened my mouth to answer her, to tell her to stay safe but all that came out was a gasp of pain.My fingers lost all strength and the phone slipped from
Last Updated : 2026-09-22
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