~Fractured Trust~

ELRICH

I stayed by Calista’s side for hours, watching as her chest rise and fell in uneven breaths. The healers had done all they could, stitching her wounds and giving her herbs to dull the pain, but she drifted in and out of consciousness like someone fighting to stay tethered to life. I didn’t leave her because I wanted answers, but also because some part of me needed to be there when she finally opened her eyes.

When she stirred, my body tensed. Her eyelids ...