The atmosphere inside the bedchamber thickened to a suffocating density as Odesse turned slowly to face Azure. Azure took a few hesitant steps forward, her bare feet making no sound against the polished floorboards, before coming to a complete halt. Her eyes drifted down—first to the edge of the mattress where the empty space lay, then to Odesse's pale, empty hand, and finally up to meet Odesse's gaze.
Azure's face was a map of profound agony. Her lips were parched and cracked, and her breath hitched in her throat.
"Do not say anything, Odesse," Azure pleaded, her voice dropping into a raspy, fragile whisper. "I shall speak, please."
She sniffed softly, swallowing hard as she tried to gather the shattered pieces of her composure.
"I apologize, Odesse," Azure continued, the words raw and trembling. "For everything I put you through. None of it was fair."
