The rain hadn’t stopped in two days. A cold, relentless drizzle that soaked the forest, the castle walls, and everything in between. It made the entire world feel quieter, like nature itself was holding its breath.
I stood at the window of my chambers, fingers pressed lightly against the icy glass. Below, the courtyard was empty, save for a lone guard who paced with his hood drawn low, his boots splashing through shallow puddles. The sky was a smear of grey and silver, offering no comfort. No warmth.
Not that I’d felt either in a long time.
My eyes stung, but I blinked away the heat before it could form tears. There was no more space left in me for crying. That girl, naïve and desperate, was dead. What remained of her was steel forged in agony.
I turned away from the window and pulled
