Brie's POV
I walk two steps behind Damien. The courtyard stones bite through the thin soles of my boots, cold air stings the scratches on my arms. He does not look back while I count the steps to the eastern wing.
The door to my room closes and Damien stands inside for just a second, then leaves without another word. I listen until his footsteps fade, before I stop counting.
Just one day left, the marking happens tomorrow evening and that is the fact I keep pressing against to see if it gives. It does not. I sit on the edge of the bed, my dress still half-tied and dirty. I do not even try to fix it, it is a reminder of how little control I have over the things happening these days. My cheek throbs where the bruise sits and I do not dare touch it... I press two fingers against it and cou
