The forest felt wrong without Maelis.
Too quiet. Too empty. Like something vital had been ripped out and the land itself hadn't learned how to breathe again.
I stood frozen where she had fallen, my fingers locked around the small chest, my body shaking so violently I thought my bones might crack apart. The warmth that had been at my side moments ago was gone. Replaced by cold and blood and the echo of her scream still ringing in my ears.
Then there was only him.
My father.
He took a step toward me.
I recoiled before I could stop myself.
"Don't," I said, my voice breaking. "Don't come closer."
He halted, his expression tightening not with guilt but with something like irritation. As if my fear were an inconvenience rather than the result of what he had just done.
"You shouldn't have seen that," he said calmly. "She forced my hand."
My chest heaved as tears spilled freely now. I didn't bother wiping them away.
"Why," I whispered. "Why are you like this."
