[Jevan perspective]
Inside my head I tried to count how many unexpected situations I'd been through in the past few days but I stopped quickly. I literally lost track. And now I'm in another unexpected situation, except this time it's ridiculously over the top.
Merelda stared at me for a moment before she moved the dagger away from my neck and stepped back. I raised my hand and felt where the blade had touched my throat, then said:
"You're still alive?"
She answered as she slid the dagger back into its sheath:
"I have the same question for you. Since you're alive… is Iris still?"
Her voice trembled a little; I could feel the emotion behind it, a mix of pleading and fear. For a second I wanted to lie and say yes, but I restrained myself. I looked at the ground, then raised my eyes to her and said:
"No."
