Chapter 40

*Elora*

I distracted myself with research.

It was the only way to keep from losing my mind.

Every time I caught sight of Varis—his broad shoulders disappearing into a crowd, the back of his head as he left a room before I could enter—something sharp twisted inside me. He had completely shut me out. And maybe I deserved it.

Still, the dread of everything was suffocating, and I needed answers. About