The ritual's completion left a profound silence in the clearing, broken only by the soft sound of Ollie's labored breathing and the distant murmur of voices from where the knights were securing Lady Cerys in the cart.
Morwen found herself unable to look away from the young witch, her eyes drinking in every detail from the way he leaned so heavily against Milo's supporting frame to the visible trembling in his hands that spoke of just how much that final act of magic had cost him. Part of her wanted to drop to her knees in worship while another part of her wanted to rush to his side in order to offer him comfort and support… but someone else was already there.
"That was beautiful, brother," Milo said as his arms tightened around Ollie's shoulders. When the Eldritch Archer spoke, his voice was thick with emotions, blending respect, admiration, and deep concern in equal measure.
