Killian’s body lay sprawled on the cold dungeon floor, his breath coming in ragged gasps. Blood dripped from his mouth and soaked his torn clothes, and his eyes were wide with fury and disbelief. Darius stood over him, his chest heaving, his eyes blazing with a protective rage. For a moment, it seemed like he would finish Killian right there, ending the threat once and for all.
But Amara's voice broke through the tension like a clear bell. “Darius, stop,” she said, her voice steady despite the tremor in her body. She had fought hard, harder than she ever thought she could, and now she stood tall, despite the wounds that covered her body. She took a shaky step toward them, her eyes locking onto Killian’s with a calm intensity.
Darius’s head turned sharply to look at her, his brows furrowe
