Farris noticed my retreat and turned toward him. I expected her to flinch, to hide, but she didn’t. She stood rooted, brave or broken enough to face the monster head-on.
His body grew, bones cracking, his presence filling the space until he was more shadow than man. His teeth elongated, his power pulsing through the floorboards. But Farris didn’t move. She met his gaze without fear.
“Ezra.” She spoke softly, the tremor gone from her voice. “It’s alright.”
Ezra’s glare narrowed, his words low and venomous.
“Alright?” he sneered.
“Elowyn saved me. I haven’t been at Philip’s house in a week.”
Ezra’s hand lifted, claws glinting, but even in that monstrous form, he was gentle as he cupped her cheek. His breathing was ragged, his expression raw. I could see it, the confusion, the pain, he didn’t understand how she could have ever chosen someone like Philip over him. His hand fell away as if burned.
He stepped back, eyes unfocused, the weight of realization darkening his face. Farris hesitated, then stepped forward like she wanted to close the space between them. But Ezra moved back again, retreating into himself.
“Ezra…,” her voice trailed off, barely a whisper.
“You hated being with me so much that you chose a man who puts his hands on you over me? Was being with me that terrible?” he asked.
My chest ached at the sound of his voice—so raw, so heartbreaking. Ezra had never sounded so… small.
“Please—”
“No.” He shook his head sharply, his hair falling over his eyes. “Tell me why it was so easy to leave me!”
The walls trembled, dust raining from the ceiling. His fury rolled through the room like thunder. Farris shrank, shoulderscurling inward, but it wasn’t fear. It was guilt. A single tear slipped free, carving a path down her cheek.
Ezra looked at me, devastation written across his face. Gods, I didn’t understand her either. She knew Ezra loved her, knew he’d burn the realm to save her. Why was she still clinging to a man who’d break her bones over the one who’d die for her?
Anger swelled inside me, anger for my friend. Ezra deserved to be loved. To be chosen. He always had.
“I’m sorry.” She tried, but the words fell flat, lost in the space between them.
Ezra turned and moved away, pacing across the room like he couldn’t bear to look at her. Farris watched him with so much hurt it nearly matched his own. One explanation, one confession, could have fixed this. But she stayed silent.
“Why are you living with the woman who is your husband’s fated mate?” I asked. “Does Elowyn know that he is her fated mate?”
“No, she doesn’t know.” Farris shook her head, still staring at Ezra’s rigid back. He was motionless now, his gaze fixed on the fire as it crackled low in the hearth.
“You two met by accident?” I asked. “Or are you helping him and Loma?”
A cold realization slid through me. Maybe Farris wasn’t just broken. Maybe she was dangerous. Maybe she was helping them.
Ezra turned sharply toward her, suspicion flashing in his crimson eyes. He was thinking the same thing.
"Do not tell me you are helping him," Ezra hissed.
She shook her head.
“It was by accident, but it was also written in the stars,” she said. “My parents said a woman who had death and fate clinging to her would hold the key to everything.”
Ezra’s steps were slow, deliberate, predatory.
“You said your family was dead, that you grew up in an orphanage.”
“I did grow up in an orphanage.”
“A key to what?” I asked.
