Chapter 44

Julian watched Teagan's shoulders shake, the silence of the room heavy with the aftermath of their duel. He had spent years—loops—anticipating the moment he would finally stand on equal footing with her. He had imagined her pride, perhaps a bit of friendly rivalry, but the raw, wet sound of a sob was not part of the calculation. "Do you feel any better?" Julian asked, his voice low and cautious. Teagan swiped a sleeve across her eyes, her face blotchy. She didn't look up. "No. I feel...