my hands trembling slightly from the effort. The blue light of my lifeblood faded, leaving me feeling drained and empty. I had saved the west

a was with him now, clinging to his arm, her face buried in his shoulder as she let out soft, theatrical sobs. "Kaelen, I was so scared," she whimpered. "The fi

throat, but I swallowed it down. What was the point of defending myself? He had already judged me. I looked away from them, my eyes landing on a blackened

st, of the Elara who yearned for his affection. That girl was gone. She had died with him. I was a ghost with a mission now. I had to save him, an

he Festival of Lights. It was supposed to be a time of joy and new beginnings. I remembered the last festival we' d shared, years ago, before everything

, more coldness. But his expression had changed. It was still guarded, but there was something else there, something I couldn't identify. "Ela