Am I really that obvious? I thought I’d been doing a decent job of hiding my feelings.
Apparently not.
Praxis’ expression shifts, his playfulness fading into something more somber. He steps closer, his eyes full of concern and something else I can’t quite place. A tightness? Regret?
“I’ve always admired you,” he says in a low, earnest voice. “But you can’t pursue anything with Cenric.”
Those words hit me like a dagger to the heart, piercing deep and twisting cruelly. I open my mouth to protest, to deny his words, but he holds up a hand to stop me.
“I know, I know. Trust me, I disagree with how outsiders are treated. It’s not fair, and it’s not right.” He runs a hand through his blond hair. “But the reality is there can never be anything between you and my brother. You’re—”
“—an outsider,” I finish for him, the words like ashes in my mouth.
I’ve always known that I can never be with Cenric, but hearing it spoken aloud, especially by someone as kind and accepting as Praxis, makes it painfully real.
Praxis reaches out and gently squeezes my shoulder. “I’m sorry,” he says, his voice thick with genuine regret. “I truly am.”
And then he’s gone, walking away and leaving me standing there alone, stunned and reeling as everything I’ve hoped for crashes down around me.
As I stumble toward my tent, I pass by a group of warriors near a fire. One of them turns to glare at me as I walk by.
Doran.
Chills race down my back as I stagger to my tent, my legs barely supporting me as Praxis’ words echo through my mind.
My fingers tremble as I strip off my clothes, lettingthem fall to the ground in a heap. I don’t bother folding them as neatly as I usually would.
What’s the point?
I collapse onto my bed, curling into myself as the full force of Praxis’ words hits me like a tidal wave.“There can never be anything between you and my brother.”
A sob tears from my throat as I bury my face in my pillow, trying to muffle the sound, but it’s useless.
I’ve always known that Cenric and I can never be together. Still, I clung to a tiny spark of hope, nurturing it in secret, allowing it to grow despite everything. Now, that spark has been extinguished, leaving nothing but dust where my heart used to be.
I take the fox from my bag and clutch it to my chest. Oh, how I wish Kassandra were here now. She’d know exactly what to say to make me feel better…or at least less alone.
I yank my blanket over my ears, as if it could somehow block out Praxis’ words, but they’re relentless, cutting deeper with each repetition.
A fresh wave of sobs wracks my body, and I curl tighter into myself. The fabric grows damp with my tears, but I can’t stop them from falling.
Cenric’s face flashes in my mind—his rare, genuine smile that lights up his eyes, the way his brow furrows when he’s deep in thought.
I want him. Ineedhim.
The realization crashes over me with a force that steals my breath. It’s not just a silly crush or a fleeting infatuation. This is bone-deep,soul-searing love.
But it doesn’t matter. It can never matter.
I’m an outsider. And he’s a man who can never choose me.
The unfairness of it all scalds my chest. I want to scream, to rage against the cruel twist of Fate that has placed us on opposite sides of a thick, red line.
I tighten my fingers around the fox again. “Kass,” I whisper, my voice breaking. “I need you. Please...”
But my sister isn’t here. She can’t hold me, can’t soothe away this hurt with her gentle words and warm embrace.
I must do it alone.
