Amara’s POV
The sound of the strike echoed in my ears.
My cheek burned where his palm had met it. Instead of tears, a laugh escaped me.
Caspian looked at me as if he had only just seen me.
Perhaps he hadn’t.
I had spent years being the woman who tucked her head down and swallowed her anger. I had spent years pretending that the cold looks he gave me meant nothing, that the way he shoved me aside didn’t cut me to the bone. Something inside me had snapped, and I was suddenly very glad that it had.
Pain could be a funny thing.
It could crush you until you are nothing, or it could fill you with such fiery strength that you burn away every fear.
"You have truly lost your senses," Caspian said darkly.
I touched my cheek and smiled.
"People have been telling me that my entire life."
I
