King Wilhelm;
Cassia lies motionless on her bed… too still for someone who used to carry so much energy in her veins.
Her breathing is shallow, steady but weak… like a lamp running out of oil. A flame that might flicker out any moment.
Even the air around her feels wrong. Quiet. Empty.
These aren't reactions to her injuries. I gave so much go my energy to heal her that I feel light with every move I make.
What is going on is her heart breaking. If it hasn't broken completely already. And as much as I hate it… It is my fault.
I kneel beside her bed and lower my head until my forehead nearly touches the back of her hand.
"Cassia," I whisper again with my voice cracking in the middle.
"Please… please look at me," I beg, but she doesn't respond, talk less of actually looking at me.
Her face is turned away from me, toward the window on the other side of the room.
Her jaw is clenched so tightly, I can see muscles twitch under her skin.
