ASTRID'S POV
I woke up to the sun streaming through the window, the light too bright for my swollen eyes. I turned my head, and pain shot through my neck. I hissed, biting my lip to stop from crying out loud. The burning ache reminded me of everything that had happened last night.
I closed my eyes, willing the memories to go away, but they came flooding back.
Jeremiah had marked me. Not once, not twice, but over and over again, like he was trying to rip my head off. It wasn’t just a mark—it was punishment. My neck throbbed, the pain pulsing like a reminder of the nightmare I couldn’t escape. I swallowed hard, the sensation making it feel like my throat was being torn apart all over again.
I remembered Helena coming in after it happened, her face filled with worry, but it was all so blu
