My hands were shaking so badly I couldn’t hold onto anything.
Alaric said my name again but it was muffled. Like he was underwater.
My fingers curled into the fabric of his shirt without me realizing it. I thought I was trying to steady myself. I thought I was trying to push him away.
I couldn’t tell anymore.
The room was spinning.
I couldn’t get enough air.
I couldn’t feel my legs.
“Breathe,” he said, and this time his voice was right next to my ear.
Strong. Close. Not shouting.
“Aria, look at me.”
I couldn’t.
I couldn’t focus on his face because if I looked at something solid I might have to accept this was real.
My stomach lurched. My hands cramped. My heart felt like it was trying to escape my chest.
I was going to pass out again.
The thought didn’t scare me.
It felt lik
