I couldn’t breathe.
The chamber blurred.
Enough, I thought, panic and anger crashing together— And suddenly I was back.
I tore out of the memory with a sharp gasp, sitting bolt upright in bed, Kael’s arms immediately tightening around me to steady me.
“No,” I whispered hoarsely.
“No, Kael—those were just children.” My hands were shaking. My chest felt too tight, like the air had turned solid.
“They weren’t responsible for any of this,” I said fiercely, tears burning my eyes.
“They didn’t choose him. They didn’t do any of it.”
Kael pressed his forehead to mine, grounding, solid.
“I know,” he said quietly.
“That girl—” My voice broke.
“They talked about her like she was nothing. Like—like property.”
His jaw clenched.
“I know.”
I pulled back just enough to look at him.
“H
