CHAPTER 78

I lay on the bed, my eyes fixed on the ceiling as if it held the answers to all my questions. The room was still quiet except for the faint crackle of the fire in the hearth.

My mind wandered, as it often did these days, and I found myself thinking of Elara. I had no idea why she came to mind so often, especially now when I was at my lowest. Maybe it was because, for all her faults, she had once been a constant in my life. A selfish, maddening constant, but a constant nonetheless.

For some weird reason, I thought she would at least visit me. I wasn't sure why I expected it, but part of me still held onto the idea that she might care enough to check on me. I scoffed at the thought, shaking my head slightly.

My fingers toyed with the edge of the blanket as I tried to distract myself from the growing ache in my chest. I hated how weak I felt. Hated how much time I had to think now that I was confined to this bed.