Page 116 of Ashen Souls

I reached for the ring on my left hand. It resisted, clinging to my flesh, desperate to maintain the connection.

“I’m done. I never want to see you again.” I ripped the band from my finger.

The room fractured. The inferno collapsed inward as the veil ripped me away.

Daeren didn't reach for me. He simply watched me fade.

His voice chased me through the collapsing void.

“Run, then. I will see you soon, Patches.”

My boots hit the hardwood of my bedroom, and my knees buckled. The drum of rain against the windowpane rushed in to fill the silence.

I crumpled onto the bed. Uncontrollable tremors seized my muscles. A few feet away, the wedding ring lay discarded on the floor once more.

I pressed my hand to my mouth, muffling the broken sob.

It was over.

Whatever intoxicating fantasy I had let myself believe in—it was gone. And this time, it hadn’t been taken from me. I had severed it. I had chosen to walk away.

But Daeren’s parting promise still echoed in the room.

I will see you soon.

I slowly lowered my hand. My gaze dropped to my left arm. The brand was still on my wrist, the stark lines scarred deep into my flesh.

As long as that sigil existed... this wasn’t really finished.

Not even close.

32

♫ AURORA—RUNAWAY

Icouldn’t stay here. Not in this apartment, not in Vesbridge.

I couldn’t speak to anyone. Not to my family, and certainly not to Harper, whose fierce loyalty would demand explanations I couldn't survive giving. I didn’t want to cry delicately into someone’s shoulder. I wanted to scream until my throat tore.

I had surrendered my body and called it destiny, while Daeren had methodically assessed my utility.

And the most damning part, the confession I would take to my grave, was that I still wanted him. Even knowing what he intended.

The bedroom remained untouched. Textbooks stacked on the desk. The unmade bed. The ring discarded somewhere on the floorboards.

I pulled my small suitcase from the closet. I had bought it for weekend escapes. Now, it served a singular, desperate purpose: survival.

I packed with mechanical urgency: jeans, sweaters, underwear, a toothbrush. I didn't know where I was going, but I had to put miles between myself and this room.

I didn’t change my clothes. I let the chill cling to me.

It felt deserved.

The warning signs had blared from the very beginning. I had known exactly how dangerous he was. I had chosen to walk straight into the inferno.

My phone vibrated. Harper. Relentless in the way only someone who loved you could be.

Answering meant fracturing completely. Her voice would dismantle my remaining defenses.