ia
ach the dungeon, a gua
"The prisoner Elara has requested to s
of my mouth drew back, not in a s
cloak," I
cloak around my shoulders to block
ing of wet earth, iron rust, and fear. Torches flicker
t of the iron bar
thin, torn dress, but the moment she saw me, she jumped
the iron bars with her pale hands
her dirty, a
a high-ranking officer, but she ha
ago. It was a sacred tradition where young she-wolv
uring the drawing of lots, ensuring she got the ceremonial
ogue bear that had been terrorizing our borders. I had dragged the massive beast back to the
me of trying to humiliate her. Ou
e began on the day Julian
eyes with me across the courtyard. He had caught my uni
d and my heart hammered against my ribs. Julian's Inner
rst time, a violent electric shock ha
ce childhood, had watched it al
eon, Elara thought she ha
h the sneer, her eyes were too sharp. Calculating
gloating. This w
ping. She had seen my weakness and u
her eyes gleaming with malice. "You always thought your old blood made you better than me," she co
g spasm. She fought to keep the tears welling in her eyes, but the muscle jus
life over your
ng absolutely no anger
oftly in the damp stone corridor. "But you only won a man w
e faltered f
spered, stepping closer to the bars. "It
when it breaks you-and it will break you-remember this moment. Remember
lack cloak sweeping a
iron bars. "You're just jealous!
ot stop
ath her rage. The first hairli
had changed. She ju
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