Ariel's POV
Ravenna called after me, her footsteps quick as I hurried for my room, almost running. I didn’t slow. Only when I shut the door behind me did I stop, breathing in shallow, shaky bursts.
What was this pain?
“Ari…” Ravenna’s voice was low, careful.
I spun and crashed into her, clinging with trembling hands as if holding her could somehow steady my crumbling life.
She hugged me back, silent, yet her silence was louder than words. She was here. She had always been here.
“He’s pushing me away,” I whispered, finally breaking into a sob. “I’m going to die, and he doesn’t even want to be in my last days.”
“You’re not going to die.” Her tone was firm, so firm I almost believed her. Just like Viktor every time he lied to himself, every time he swore he would find a way. “We won’t
