Chapter 71

• Aurora's POV
• The portal spat me out onto damp earth, the taste of ozone sharp on my tongue. As I struggled to my feet, disoriented and gasping, I realized I had no idea where I was. Dense, primordial forest surrounded me, ancient trees stretching towards a sky painted with unfamiliar constellations. My impromptu escape had worked almost too well.
• As the adrenaline of my departure faded, the enormity of what I'd done crashed over me. I was alone, truly alone, for the first time in my life. The thought was both terrifying and exhilarating.