Valtira.
My breath left me in a shaky gasp. My heart hammered like it wanted to tear out of my chest. For a heartbeat I wanted to lunge—claws, teeth, whatever it took—consequences be damned. But then something inside me folded. The anger didn’t vanish; it sank, colder and sharper, carving deeper cuts I hadn’t known I had.
My voice came out small, tired. “Just… leave.”
Lyssandra smirked, brushing phantom dust from her sleeve as if I were nothing but dirt under her nails. She stepped back to the door slow and satisfied.
“You don’t have to tell me,” she said, smug and casual. “Tell me whatever you like now while you still can. Wait until they clip those wings of yours. I’ve wasted enough time here.” She tossed one last poisoned barb over her shoulder. “Try not to fall apart before the cou
