†Noca's POV†
I walked back to my chambers as the bells tolled, their deep clang echoing through the halls to announce the Western emissaries' arrival. The sound bit into me like a reminder of duty I wasn't ready to face.
They couldn't see me like this. Weak, disoriented and hollow-eyed while their son, who was meant to be my slave, looked more alive than I did. My fingers curled into tight fists at my sides as I walked in the direction of my chambers, my nails biting into my palms as flashes of last night tore through my head. The moment I lost control. The moment he surfaced again.
