The aftermath of the event left the royal chambers silent — the kind of silence that came only after chaos. The cursed stone lay shattered, the air still humming faintly with the echo of dark magic. King Paul’s chest rose and fell in a steadier rhythm now, the black veins already fading from sight.
River, however, was pale and trembling, her strength spent. The amulet around her neck still glowed faintly, pulsing like a heartbeat as if guarding her even in exhaustion.
Heiko caught her before she could fall, his arms scooping her up with the kind of care that only love and terror could create. His wolf, barely contained, howled within him — the thought of losing her made his chest ache.
He carried her through the quiet halls to their chamber, ignoring the whispers of servants or the anxi
