Clarabel’s POV

The stone corridors blurred around me as I stormed away from Malakai’s chambers. My heart hammered violently against my ribs, driven by a toxic mixture of white-hot fury and sickening disgust. Not with him but with myself.

I wiped the back of my hand across my lips, rubbing so hard till the skin stung, desperately trying to erase the ghost of his mouth. I kissed him back. The realization felt like a sore throat. For a few lawless seconds, I had unraveled under his touch instead of tearing his throat out.

Fool, I berated myself, my breathing ragged as I hurried down the dark hallway. Pathetic, weak fool....