But even then—she smiled.
A twisted, broken smile.
“Go on,” she rasped. “Do it. Show them what kind of royal you are … Deathbringer. Crush me like the insect you think I am. That’s what monsters do, isn’t it? Protect their own lies.”
Heiko’s jaw tightened. His wolf howled for blood—but River’s trembling voice cut through the air before he could act.
“Stop.”
The single word silenced the room.
Even Isabelle froze.
River stepped forward slowly, her eyes bright with unshed tears.
Her voice was calm, but it carried the quiet, terrible strength of someone who’d been wounded far too deeply to still feel anger.
“I don’t need to destroy you, Isabelle,” she said softly. “You’ve already done that yourself.”
Isabelle’s breath hitched, the color draining from her face.
River’s voice broke, b
