TYR

The morning was bright, way too bright for how heavy my chest felt. The air smelled of wet stone and sunlight as I stood by the stables, tightening the reins on my horse just to keep my hands from shaking. Zuri was standing a few feet away. The way she held herself made my heart twist.

I walked up to her and brushed my fingers against her arm until she looked up at me. “You’re not making this easy,” I murmured.

Her voice came soft, trembling slightly. “It’s not supposed to be ...