Elara’s POV
Something inside me snapped.
I jerked my head back and spit straight into his face. Blood and saliva hit his cheek. For one heartbeat, shock flashed across those cold eyes. I ripped myself away from his grip, scrambling backward on shaky legs.
“Elara, stop this!” My father’s voice cracked across the field like thunder. “Elara, please!”
Emma’s cry followed right after, high and terrified. “Elara, please! Don’t!”
I didn’t look at them. I couldn’t. Their voices faded into noise. All I heard was the blood roaring in my ears and the stubborn fire still burning in my chest.
I pushed up, legs trembling, and spat more blood onto the ground. My body screamed at me to stay down, but I forced my feet apart and raised my fists again. The loose cloth on my wrist flapped like a torn
