Chapter 49 Esmeralda's Pov

• The fire popped into the vibrating silence that followed. The heat could not soothe the fiery anger still boiling in my veins. I stared into the flames as my thoughts spiralled.
• Ryker's words in my mind played back, hitting a nerve I was not ready to acknowledge.
• Ocean sat beside me, moving carefully, as if afraid of making a sudden movement that might shatter the fragile calm. He did not speak, which was a great relief. I was not prepared to answer the unasked questions in his eyes.