The castle doors close behind us and the sound rings through the hall like it doesn’t belong there.
Ace is already inside.
He stands at the far end near the long stone table, completely still, one hand resting against the marble. Cracks spider beneath his fingers, but he doesn’t seem to notice them. He’s been waiting.
His eyes meet mine the second I step forward.
Silas slows behind me but lets me walk alone.
I stop a few steps away. My chest still aches from the forest, from the ground, from the moment he turned and left.
“You walked away.”
He doesn’t react. “Yes.”
The simple answer stings worse than denial.
“I was on the ground,” I say. “I couldn’t even move.”
“I know.”
My hands curl slightly at my sides. “You still left.”
His jaw tightens faintly. “Because staying would have
