Caleb’s POV
Dawn filtered through the cracks in the shutters of Mara’s chambers, a pale light that did nothing to dispel the cold that had taken root in my soul. I woke with a groan, my body still aching from the beating of the night before, every bruise a reminder of how I had fallen into this trap. The silver chains had been removed, but the real shackles were Mara’s threats: her false accusation of r**e, her promise of death for Hilda if I didn’t comply. Hil. My Hil. Her name was an anchor in my chest, her pale skin against my ebony, her laughter that once lit up the darkness now consuming me. For her, I had yielded. For her, I had imagined Eva in Mara’s features so I could lie with her, give her that “sample” of acceptance she demanded. The memory sickened me, leaving me hollow.
I sa
