They thought I was bluffing.
Then I stepped forward.
“You chose the hero,” I said quietly. “The hero lost. I won.” They thought I was bluffing
I looked down at them. Fina reached a trembling hand toward me. Mia whispered, “Riol… please…” They thought I was bluffing
I didn’t sleep that night. I learned curses. I learned to convert my healing touch into a rotting grip. I learned to steal the very life energy I once gave freely. They thought I was bluffing
I walked out of the castle alone. The sun rose. My victory tasted like ash and justice.