Then, how thehellis she still alive?
Chapter 30
Serafina
My final trial is tomorrow.
Tomorrow.
And I haven’t seen Ishla or Jax. The feeling of fear that used to be ever-present in my life—the feeling I haven’t felt in weeks—is back. And I hate it.
I hate it because now is not the time for fear. Now is not the time to doubt myself, to want to sink into a hole and disappear.
I hear a knock at my door, and truly, I couldn’t even begin to guess who it is.
Certainly not Jax.
Maybe Ishla? Or perhaps Theo, who has visited me multiple times since I saw him in the throne room. He’s taken it upon himself to continue my sparring lessons.
He puts even less effort into fighting me than Jax did, despite how many times I’ve begged him to try harder. But he’s adamant about not hurting me.
A statement that makes me groan.
Every.
Single.
Time.
But even so, I appreciate him taking the time to teach me. Especially because I’ve gotten better. Noticeably better.
I smile.
Moving to open the door, my breath catches as I gaze upon the one person I did not expect.
Jax.
And now that he’s finally here, now that he’s standing before me?
My throat feels like it’s about to close, threatening to suffocate me and all my thoughts, all my desires,as if such a thing could ever occur.
Not when I’m in the presence ofhim.
“You’re here,” I finally say when I’m sure he won’t say anything at all.
His golden gaze traces my face, his lips part as if he’s in pure agony, as if the sight of me alone makes him want to fall to his knees.
A sight I’d surely worship if it were to ever occur, one I might even be tempted tobegfor.
He runs his fingers through his onyx strands, his other hand shaking slightly as he holds up a letter.
A fuckingletter.
My brows crease as I take it from him.
This is what he came here for? To serve as a gods-damned messenger boy?
After all these days?
