Unbound Fury

Valerie’s POV

Their laughter was like thunder, low and mocking, rolling through the courtyard until it drowned out even the sound of my own ragged breathing. Malachi’s guards howled, their chains clinking as they leaned back in cruel amusement, and Malachi himself tilted his head, the cruel smirk carving deeper into his face.

“Okay then,” he said, his voice dripping with mockery as though my defia