MALAKAI’S POV

Consciousness crashed into me like a collapsing stone wall, bringing a wave of dull, throbbing pain that vibrated through every single bone in my body. My head felt like it was filled with sand, and when I tried to draw a full breath, the skin across my ribs pulled so tight I nearly choked on the iron taste in the back of my throat. 

I forced my eyes open, the gray light of the room piercing my vision like needles. I was flat on my back in my own quarters. The shattered remains of the wardrobe, the torn rugs, and the broken chairs from my rage were completely...