Nadia's Point Of View
I clutched at my throat, where the sharp sting of Azriel's fingers still burned against my skin. My chest heaved as I fought to drag oxygen back into my lungs. My legs shook so violently I had to lean my entire weight against the edge of the mahogany table just to keep from collapsing onto the floor.
The tears poured down my face, hot and thick, smudging my mascara until I could practically feel the black streaks gluing my eyelashes together. Each blink sent a fresh wave of moisture cascading down my cheeks, mixing with the makeup until my vision blurred. I must have looked pathetic… broken and desperate, but I was beyond caring about appearances now. That carefully constructed facade I'd maintained for years had finally shattered.
