in a haze of pain and exhaustion,

and J

re masks of sh

ty?" Marcus thundered at the elders,

s bonds, his touch

loe, who lay pale a

h concern, and placed his hands over the s

emanated fr

lian said, his voice tight with

hloe seemed to relax slightly under his

Ava, his voice

d traditions. I swear to you, I will find every person responsible

pped away at Ava' s terror, repla

savior. Julia

d, Marcus and Julian were

back to health, hi

ly pouring his own energy into her to

me, that a part of it was lo

by Marcus, publicly cond

d, but the focus was on Ava and

r ceremony, a "B

ed to Ava, Ju

partnership, of shared spir

ordeal but deeply grat

strength, her own spirit st

onded, celebrated by

earth became a gilded ca

ssed in app

were the revere

s trusted second, we

h affection, surrounde

y were cherished,

a dark scar covered by layers of

us's guidance, though she still didn't understand their full natur

recovered, found a fragile stability wi

hey had found