Rory's POV

The night air pressed heavy against my skin, like the world itself was holding its breath. My body still ached from the poison and the dreams, but the worst pain was inside the echo of his words. Lucien’s laughing hadn’t stopped since I woke. It curled around my thoughts like smoke I couldn’t push away.

I stumbled into the courtyard, desperate for air, desperate to be free of it. The moon hung high, swollen and silver, sending long shadows across the stones.

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