Nyxion’s POV

The fire in my heart crackled, but it did nothing to soften the chill in my chest.

I had dismissed the servants an hour ago, yet the scent of Aerila’s perfume still clung to me like a reminder. Every time I closed my eyes, I didn’t see her face, or the thin cut on her wrist she’d flaunted as proof of Naeris’s supposed treachery.

I saw Naeris instead, her eyes wide, her lips parted as though she wanted to speak but couldn’t. And then the sharp sting in my ...