EMBER
Before I could answer his question, Azai staggered back.
One hand came up to press hard against his temple, his fingers trembling slightly. His breathing had turned uneven again.
"Azai—"
"Enough." His voice had no strength behind it now. "Leave."
I froze in the steaming bathwater, my chest tightening painfully.
He wouldn't even look at me anymore.
Water dripped from his soaked black hair as he turned away, his shoulders rigid. Yet I still noticed the strain in the way he braced one hand against the wall.
Gods...
He was barely holding himself together.
"Azai," I whispered weakly, "please let me help—"
"Out."
I flinched.
Slowly, I climbed out of the bath, my wet dress clinging to my skin. My legs shook so badly that I nearly slipped on the stone floor.
Azai never turned a
