MIRA
The fire in the hearth crackled like it hadn’t just been dimmed by something otherworldly moments ago. The warmth returned, the flickering light danced across the walls, but I didn’t feel it. Not even a little. My skin was cold, my blood colder.
I sank onto the edge of my bed, running my fingers slowly across the sheets as if they could ground me. But they couldn’t. Nothing could. Not after that voice. Not after those words.
I should have argued. I should have shouted back, demanded patience, said I was doing everything I could. But I hadn’t. I couldn’t. Because every word he said was true.
I had been waiting too long.
Waiting for Sylvester to crash. Waiting for Eric to make a mistake. Waiting for the perfect storm to hand me the crown without spilling too much blood. But this wo
