Chapter 75

• “Reign?” Her heart did a little somersault simply with the knowledge that he was here, behind her. The shadow did not move. Receiving no response, she shifted back and her stomach dropped. Something had terribly gone wrong, more so than before.
• She had never, ever seen him in this state. Not when they had got off on the wrong foot. Not during the time he was pretending to be some lord. Violence and borderline madness were what adorned him, apart from the sea-gray and the pastel-blue pair that would look good only on him. Or rather, apart from the slacks and the shirt which used to be those colors.
• They were only visible where red blotches did not cover and long rips were absent. One sleeve was rolled up to his elbow, and another was ripped off of the shoulder. One single diamond remained as a button, just like the last piece of sanity on his face, which was covered in thin, red lines.