***VERA***
The afternoon sun hung high, its light almost blinding, its heat piercing my forehead. I pulled my veil across my face and quickened my steps toward the castle.
By the time I reached my chamber, my chest felt tight, as if it was being pulled together by a strong string. I shut the door behind me and leaned against it for a moment, pressing a hand to my chest. My fingers trembled. My head ached with the weight of everything that had happened. I slowly slid down the door, burying my face in my knees.
Beads of sweats tripped down my body, but I still felt cold.
After a long while on the floor, I slowly straightened, walked towards the bed and let myself fall onto it, the mattress dipping beneath me. My eyes stared blankly at the ceiling — the same ceiling I’d stared at so many
