Chapter 171

*Elora*

Varis’s body was still warm.

That was the part that broke me first.

Because it meant he hadn’t been gone long. Because some part of me—some foolish, aching, deluded part—thought that maybe if I held on tight enough, screamed loud enough, breathed hard enough, he’d come back.

But he didn’t.

The fire that had always burned too close to the surface in Varis Ryker was gone.

Extinguished.

I hel