Nina stood at the top of the stairs leading into the living quarters long after Emory's footsteps faded.
Her eyes stared into the distance, unfocused.
Then she blinked.
Do not get attached.
He would kill you. Like his father did.
Her hands twisted together, fingers tightening, loosening, then tightening again.
She forced herself to move.
Her legs felt heavy, but she kept walking.
The air changed the moment she climbed back toward the upper floors.
Cooler and easier to breathe.
Still, her lungs refused to work properly until she stepped fully into the open corridor.
Only then did she exhale.
She did not trust Emory.
But then, how had the woman known about the fainting spells?
Nina stopped walking.
Six full moons.
That was all she had.
Her chest tightened.
She was dying...
Nina drew in a shaky breath and pressed a hand against her sternum.
You were reincarnated to complete the curse.
Questions crowded her mind.
