FIA
The dungeons had taken something from me. Not just energy. Something deeper. Something I did not know how to name.
We climbed the stairs in silence. Each step felt heavy. My legs dragged. My arms still throbbed from holding bowls and wringing cloths. The smell of wolfsbane clung to my skin. Sharp and bitter. It made my nose itch and my eyes sting a little.
Bo walked behind me with soft footsteps. Careful. Gentle. Like she did not want to disturb whatever was left of my thoughts.
When we reached my quarters I pushed open the door and went straight to the bed. I did not bother to pretend I had grace. I just fell onto the mattress and let it swallow my weight.
The ceiling stared back at me. Plain stone. Cold. Steady. It felt familiar in a strange way. Like the only thing today that had not shifted.
"That was fulfilling," I said. My voice sounded thin to my own ears.
