Page 64 of A Rising Hope (The Freckled Fate #3)

64

OREST

I silently stormed the empty halls of the abandoned chateau until I reached an old broom closet. Dark and without windows. I crammed myself inside, locking the door behind me. Only here, away from any eyes, I let myself pant, my armor suffocating me as I ripped it off. Air wheezed in my lungs at each breath.

I stripped myself entirely of my clothes and yet I suffocated more.

Zora’s voice, her words echoed in my head on repeat. Bile burned in my throat, and I dry heaved.

She was alive . My mind tried to calm my racing heart. She was alive . My thoughts warred. But all I could see was her drowning in sorrow. All I could taste was her fear.

I locked her up.

I imprisoned her.

I abandoned her.

My trembling hands found my discarded dagger in the dark. The metal hilt of the blade felt light in my hand, and I let it dance, carving my skin inch by inch until a sliver of reprieve would find me.