an's

have bled before. I have fought harder battles. But the weight of what had just happened-it was different. Rowan's words s

hear him say it, just so I could feel th

the fabric clinging to my skin, still we

ack, the walls I'd surrounded myself with, the belief that I was untouchable. Bu

ed them against my knees, my head bowing low as the b

ng without me

ment, I had

ike skeletal hands, but their presence felt suffocating, like t

never taken the time to face what

But somewhere along the way, things had shifted. I had shifted. And when Rowan turned his back on me,

ger than those who would try to take it from me. B

om the cuts on my body more present than before. But I ignored it,

me to this? I

is betrayal, or the fact that

the strength I had built in blood. But now? Now, I felt like a

e-they were loyal to the power I represented. They followed m

he tree, trying to steady myself, trying to drown o

ny blow Rowan had landed. The tr

s al

o one could touch me. But now, I realized I was standing on nothing but

lips, bitterer than the

a man drowning in the cons

ra'

he tension in the air was enough to show it -

arp and cutting. His dark eyes locked onto mine, fil

rt was torn, streaked with mud and blood. Whatever he'd been through, it

my voice barely above a whispe

gh. "I don't need your concern,

and heavy. His presence filled the room, and I had to force myself

atening "Do you think you're different? That you ca

caught something painful behind them. Like h

ng my voice calm, steady, eve

back, his tone biting. "You've done nothing

hold my ground. I wouldn't give him what

softly, "why are

or a moment, I thought he might snap. Instead, he g

nd me," he said, his voice q

d, taking a step clo

f, and the silence between us gre

ounded, every part of me screaming that this was a bad idea, but I

," I wh

nger and confusion. I didn't think. I did

er. I pulled back, my breath shaky, my min

had I

ger was still there, but just beneath the surface, but

he weight of my actions san

ng back. His eyes moved. "Wha

m n

"Don't try to turn this

my mouth to respond, but nothing came out. Instead, I

ecause of pity? Desperation? O

brief moment, I had seen the cracks in his shield -the pain he trie