Chapter 18: Dance of Madness
Snow burned like fire across Leia’s cheeks.
She trudged through the Black Glacier, iron chains wrapped tight around her wrists—not to contain her…
But to stop herself from tearing her own skin open.
Each step dragged. The wind whispered in her ears.
“Monster.”
“Plague.”
“Even he abandoned you.”
She ignored it.
Until the whispers took shape.
Silas’s face appeared in the storm. “You think exile makes you noble?”
Leia growled. “You’re not real.”
“You killed him,” he said softly. “With your love. With your curse.”
“No.”
“He gave you everything. And you left him to rot.”
“No!”
She collapsed to her knees.
The glacier screamed.
And so did she.
---
Miles away, Cassian collapsed in the monastery infirmary.
Lucen stood over him. “Her pain is unraveling the bond.”
Cassian gripped the edge of the bed. “Then let me in.”
Lucen hesitated. “If you enter her mind now, it may burn your soul.”
“I don’t care.”
“She won’t recognize you.”