Maria.
The moment Darren's words registered in my mind, my entire body went rigid. I froze where I stood, my breath hitching painfully in my chest as if the air had been knocked out of me. The peace treaty. His one request. Me.
Heat crawled up my spine in a terrifying rush, spreading through my chest and settling heavily in my stomach. My palms went clammy, my knees weak. I felt exposed, stripped bare in front of dozens of powerful eyes, reduced to nothing more than an offering, something to be handed over in the name of peace.
No.
My heart screamed the word even as my lips refused to move. I never wanted to go back to Darren. Not now. Not ever. The memories, the pain, the humiliation, they rushed back like a violent tide, threatening to drown me right there where I stood. Panic seized me instantly, sharp and unforgiving. My gaze darted instinctively toward the quadruplet Alphas, silently begging, help me… please.
But they gave me nothing.
