Chapter 4

I cried until my throat went hoarse before the guards finally let go of me.

I collapsed onto the freezing stone floor, pressing my wet face against the cold flagstones.

Julian had already left, never offering me a single backward glance.

I didn't know how long I stayed there, numb. Eventually, I pushed myself up and stumbled out, dragging my hand along the wall for support.

With every step, the heavy weight in my chest lifted a fraction. I skipped the den entirely. Not a single thing in that place belonged to me anyway.

I hailed a border transport and…