Page 127 of Upon Buried Embers

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So that’s what I’m doing.

Away from him.

Away from Darcia.

The snow falls heavily in the night, and I try to pull the cloak around me as tight as possible to protect myself from the cold creeping in, but my limbs are so stiff they feel like ice.

I didn’t mean to make you mad.

I thought I was helping.

I thought it would make whatever I did better.

I stumble and collide with something hard, a piercing cry coming from me as I feel something snap.

I fall to the floor, holding my wrist, my eyes feeling swollen and my body shakes with shock.

I’m sorry.

I curl myself into a tight ball.

I’m sorry.

Tremors wrack my body.

I’m sorry.

I’m sorry.

I’m sorry.

Thirty Two

Rohan

“She’s not here.”

“Are you sure?” I ask Kaldar, and he nods.

“She’s nowhere to be found.”

“She couldn’t have just left! There’s a storm for fuck’s sake!”

“What did you say to her?” Asseya asks.

“I told her to leave.”

Adora shakes her head. “Why would you tell her that?”

“She removed a braid from my reins, washed it and re-braided it.”

Their eyes go wide.

“Are you sure?” Calian asks. “She wouldn’t do that. I’ve seen her in that room and she’s scared to go near it.”

“But she did. She told me herself.”

“Fuck,” Calian mutters, running a hand down his face. “It doesn’t make sense.”

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