Morvienne took a shuddering breath, her chest heaving as she fought to keep her composure. She reached up and aggressively wiped the tears from her cheeks with the back of her hand.

She felt her heart hammering against her ribs, but she forced it to slow down as she hardened her mind, pulling a cold, thick wall around her emotions, shutting out the sight of his broken expression. She had to be the monster he now believed she was.

"Because," she answered, her voice hollow and sharp, "I had to."

A sudden, jagged laugh escaped her lips—a sound devoid of any real joy. She sniffed, her eyes narrowing as she...