Emilia’s POV
The dungeon was cold. Colder than any place holding a living soul should ever be.
The air felt damp and heavy with grief, like the stones themselves carried memories of screams and sorrow. Maximus walked beside me in silence, his steps slow, deliberate, each one echoing off the narrow passageway.
I wrapped my arms around myself, but the chill came from inside, not the cold.
We finally reached the last cell.
The one where Raina was held.
She sat at the far end, knees drawn to her chest, her back facing us, her hair tangled and covering most of her face. She didn’t move when we stopped. Didn’t acknowledge us. Didn’t tense or turn or lift her head.
It was like she had been waiting for us.
Or like she already knew we were here.
I knelt in front of the bars, my fingers cu
