*Daphne*

The minutes passed like hours, and the hours passed like days. Rion had stopped coming to see me, except to slide a meal under the door at intervals. Every time the slot opened, I stuck my face down to the floor to beg Rion to let me go, to talk to me, at least.

But Rion was unmoved. When I caught glimpses of his face, I could see the conflict in his eyes, but then resolve overtook him and he simply glared at me, slamming the slot shut and stomping ...