YELENA
We started eating anyway.
I swallowed the tightness in my throat, pretending the food was the only thing I cared about. Nyra sat beside me, her fork untouched. I knew she felt it too, the way the room felt heavy like the moon pressed its weight on us.
Still, I forced myself to chew, act normal, even when Livia leaned into Tristan like she was trying to merge with him. She dragged her fingers against his arm, whispered something I couldn’t hear. Then she picked up a piece of meat and tried to feed him.
He frowned but still opened his mouth. My hand tightened around my fork.
Of course he did.
I looked at my plate instead. It didn’t matter. That pain inside me... that burning I hated shouldn’t even exist. Why did I still feel anything watching them? How could I ever think he wou
