You're Nora

WINTER POV

The discussion between Emily, my mother, and me didn't conclude until evening. Without their knowledge, I returned to the dungeon, eager to see Rafael.

As I entered, I found him seated on the hay-covered floor of his cage, hands shielding his face, head bowed. I stood there for a moment, hoping he'd notice me, but nothing changed. Since he didn't acknowledge my presence, I took a step closer and crouched down.

"Rafael," I said, gently prodding him with a stick I'd picked up outside the dungeon.

He raised his head, meeting my gaze. "W-what happened to you?" I asked, my eyes widening at his bloodshot eyes and the blood trickling from his mouth.

When I'd left earlier, he looked nothing like this. He seemed normal but angry and dejected. Now, he was a different person than the Rafael I knew.

"Winter," he murmured. His voice was barely audible, but I heard him.

"What happened to you?" I whispered, extending my hand into the cage toward him.

"I don't know," Rafael replied, shakin