Nyx's Pov

The forest was still when I finally opened my eyes again.

My body ached, my throat was raw from crying, and every part of me felt heavy, drained. For a long moment, I stayed there on the damp ground, staring up at the pale sky just beginning to brighten with dawn.

I didn’t want to move, but I had to. I had left him.

That guilt burned sharper than anything else. Caspian had been locked in chains, screaming in agony, and I had run. The memory clawed at me as I ...