Valtira.
I tried to breathe steady. I tried to hold myself like someone who still had a spine. But his words had landed like stones and everything inside me scattered.
Zarek marrying another woman.
Another Luna.
Another body beside his.
It burned in my chest so sharp I looked away, pretending the world beyond the window mattered more than the jag in my ribs. I forced air in slow, careful pieces and kept my voice level even though my hands wanted to shake and my throat felt raw.
He watched me as if I’d become a stranger. “Valtira… I’m still not okay with this—why are you so calm? You’ve always fought this.” His voice was quiet, the question asked twice in his head as if afraid of the answer.
A tired, humorless laugh escaped me. “Zarek… what do you want me to say? Shall I slit my thro
