Chapter 63

ALINA

The tension in the air was suffocating as we sat together in the cold, damp cell, our breaths shallow and our hearts heavy. Jaime had finally snapped. After Lily’s disappearance during the execution, he was furious, his paranoia growing by the minute. It didn’t take long for him to turn his anger toward us, demanding that we explain what had happened. When no one could offer him the answers he wanted, he had us imprisoned.

Now, Aunt Arya, Nina, Maria, and I were locked away, trapped in this dark and cramped cell. The walls were damp, the smell of mildew thick in the air, and the floor was cold against our feet. Aunt Arya sat against the wall, her arms around Nina, who was softly crying. Maria was pacing, her hands wringing nervously, while I sat in the corner, trying to think of something—anything—that could get us out of this mess.

“I don’t understand why he’s doing this,” Maria muttered, her voice barely above a whisper. “We didn’t do anything wrong.”

“He’s gone mad with powe