It didn’t reach her heart, though. That ache stayed sharp.
The comfort from the potion had just dulled the most severe pain when the door burst open.
Elora flinched, shoulders jerking as her gaze snapped toward the entrance. Tehvan strode into the room. “Sadia, are you—” His eyes landed on her.
He froze.
“Elora?” Disbelief, confusion, and something else tangled in that single word. His gaze flicked between her and Sadia, eyebrows drawing together. “What… Why are you…” He looked down at the ring on his finger, twisting it anxiously.
Sadia stood quickly, bridging the gap between them. She placed a hand on his arm, leaning in to whisper.
His face changed instantly. Anger, white-hot and immediate, flashed across his features. His shoulders tensed, jaw clenching so tight a vein stood out along his neck. “Gerard.” His voice dropped to a growl. “I’ll kill him.”
She partly wanted that fury directed outward, wanted someone to be angry for her. But when he stepped forward, reaching for her—to comfort her, to hold her, like he always had—her body recoiled.
“I’ll make him pay—”
She pulled away, flinching into the headboard.“What good does that do me now?” Elora snapped impulsively. “That won’t undo any of this.” His hand hung in the air between them, his expression crumpling at the rejection.
Her anger flared, sharp and sudden, cutting through the fog of fear and shame. Her eyes locked on his finger, the damn ring still glinting on it. Mocking her.
“You’re still wearing it,” she snapped. “How could you not know?”
He glanced at the ring like it betrayed him, too. “I… I felt your heartbeat, but it wasn’t—” He shook his head. “It wasn’t panicked. Just… exertion. I thought—”
“You thought I was fine? Gods, Tehvan—” Her chest heaved with each word. “You promised you’d protect me. You said you’d know if I was in danger.”
Tehvan rubbed the back of his neck, guilt thick in the air. Sadia spoke up. “Sometimes... when people go through trauma, their bodies don’t react in the manner you’d expect. Her heart rate might’ve stayed level because she shut down.”
Shut down.That’s what she’d done. Walked through the gardens like a ghost, like nothing had happened.
Tehvan’s gaze softened, regret flashing in his eyes. “Elora… I would have stopped it if I’d known.”
But you didn’t.The realization stabbed at her.You’re supposed to know me better than anyone.You said you’d protect me.It burned in her chest, acid and ash.You promised.
“You said you’d get me out of here.” Tears pricked the corners of her eyes, but she forced them down, nails digging into the blanket.Hold it together.“When?” She stared at him, searching for something, anything, that wasn’t another lie. “How much of me do I have to lose first?”
His face paled. “Elora… I… I’m trying—”
Trying.That word wasn’t enough. Not now. Not after…
Sadia cleared her throat gently. “Maybe you should sit,” she suggested to Tehvan. “Pacing around won’t help.”
Tehvan hesitated, gaze flicking to Elora’s hunched form before he reluctantly lowered himself into a chair across from her. He ran a hand across his face. Elora was unable to look at him anymore. Her eyes fixed on a knot in the wood floor, breath uneven.
“There’s a cargo ship,” he said finally. “A week from now. It’ll head north along the coast before crossing to Al’tera. We’ll slip aboard under cover of night.”
A week.
The words struck Elora like a slap. She glared at him, disbelief warring with anger. “That’s the plan? Survive another week?”
Tehvan nodded. “I know it’s… Elora, I know. But it’s the best shot we have.”
Seven days. Seven more days of pretending nothing’s wrong. Of seeing Gerard. Of being Thorn’s experiment.Her stomach clenched. Was she able to bear that? Her skin crawled at the thought.
But something in his words stuck.We’ll slip aboard.
We.
