Ariana’s POV
It all smelled like burning flesh.
I could feel my heart breaking over and over again. The pain gnawed at my chest, and I could barely breathe.
Everything felt… tight.
Damon’s hands held me, while he said nothing, his protective hold keeping me in place.
I had a passing thought; my feet running into the flames where Nero burned but I knew, I very much knew he wouldn’t let me go.
My screams thundered through the entire space and I could feel myself reaching into the belly of my own desolation.
I hated that I asked myself this question so much that nothing changed.
Why couldn’t I save him?
Why did I search for him if it would only lead him to the flames of death?
Why did they die while I lived to remember the injustice they left behind?
Why did I survive all to remember?
My hands tightened around the sword.
From first glance you would easily be able to see the dedication and hard work put into its forging.
