Chapter 35
⋆˖☽ 𝑵𝒐 𝑻𝒖𝒓𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑩𝒂𝒄𝒌 ☾˖⋆ Celia stepped closer, her hands clasped gently infront of her. Her eyes, fixed on mine, were bright with an expectation that felt like a weight. She already knew the answer. She must have known from the moment I’d followed her that I had no real choice. I held my face a neutral mask, a fortress against the hope radiating from her. "I will join the Ashen Vow," I said, the words feeling like defeat. "If it means I can protect others again." I forced the muscles around my mouth to move, manufacturing a smile that felt brittle. "I am happy to join." My voice rose a slight, false octave. I am not happy at all. Celia’s relief was explosive. She clapped her hands, practically vibrating on her feet. "Oh, Alanah, I'm so glad! You have no idea how happy this makes me.
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