Nina stood in the dark hallway long after Emory's footsteps faded.
Her eyes stared into the distance for longer than she could remember. Then she blinked once.
Don't get attached...
Her hands folded into themselves, fingers tightening, loosening, tightening again.
Then she turned toward the stairs and walked.
The air changed the moment she climbed back toward the upper grounds. Cooler. Easier to breathe. Still, her lungs refused to work properly until she stepped fully into the open corridor.
Only then did she exhale.
Emory was right. Nothing good could come from getting involved with him. She swallowed the knot forming in her throat.
But that realization seemed a night too late. She held back a dry chuckle.
Nina turned toward the outer courtyard leading to the training room.
She had to complete the curse...
Nina blinked slowly, her mind replaying the conversation, and against her wishes, grey eyes flashed before her.
