Bab 101: Take care of me

After Zara left the room, the silence that followed felt heavy and stifling. I stood there for a moment, staring at the door as if I could will the strange, awkward tension to disappear.

My body felt calmer now, the fire in my veins reduced to a gentle warmth, but my mind churned with lingering discomfort.

I had what I needed, but at what cost? Zara's feelings were a complication I hadn't anticipated, one I wasn't prepared to navigate. She was a friend, maybe even like a sister in some ways, and I couldn't afford to let things blur beyond that.

Not for her sake and certainly not for mine.

With a deep breath, I pushed the thoughts aside. There was no point dwelling on it right now.

I had work to do, and that meant returning to Elara's estate. My body felt lighter, steadier, now that the hunger was satisfied, and I intended to use that clarity to focus on my mission.