Maria.
The noise of the arena still rang faintly in my ears as I hurried down the corridor.
I didn't look back.
I didn't wait to see what happened after Aidan's victory was announced. I didn't want to see the celebrations, the cheers, the triumphant expressions on the faces of those who supported him.
And most of al….I didn't want to see Noah lying there.
The image of him on the sand with Aidan's sword pressed against his neck was already burned too deeply into my mind.
My chest felt tight as I pushed open the door to my room and stepped inside.
The silence swallowed me instantly.
I shut the door behind me and leaned against it, closing my eyes as I released a long breath. I hadn't realized how tense my body had been until that moment.
My shoulders sagged.
Everything hurt.
Not physically.
But somewhere deeper.
I crossed the room slowly and sank onto the edge of the bed, pressing my palms against my face.
Why did it have to be like this?
