The chamber smelled of salt and despair. Lumina lay curled on the massive bed, her body slick with sweat that soaked through the thin nightgown and clung to every curve. She rolled restlessly from side to side, sheets twisting around her legs like restraints. Hot tears streamed down her face, mixing with the perspiration, leaving salty tracks that stung her skin. Each sob tore from her chest in ragged, silent gasps—she had learned long ago to cry without sound in this hostile place. Her fists clutched the pillow, knuckles white, as waves of betrayal crashed over her. The pain was visceral, a deep, gnawing ache in her chest that made breathing feel like swallowing shards of glass. How could he? After every promise, every gentle touch… The memory of Ashen's arms around her now felt tainted, poisoned.
Exhaustion finally dragged her under. Sleep did not bring rest. Pain welcomed her like an old, cruel friend, pulling her into a nightmare realm of jagged black stone and endless shadow.
