Lucien Rosencraft hovered in the air above them, and every eye turned toward him.
Sylene suddenly felt warmth wrap around him. He looked up.
Melchior.
He had come again—always appearing at the exact moment everything was about to collapse.
"Sir—"
Melchior shot him a sharp look.
Sylene winced, then smiled awkwardly. "...Melchior."
Melchior looked visibly pleased for a brief second before both their expressions hardened again.
"You handled the Queen Series?" Melchior asked.
The dhampir nodded.
Sylene smiled despite the tension. "You're amazing. And you still managed to find me again."
Melchior's hand tightened around Sylene's waist. He rubbed his back gently, pulling away a faint trace of red mist lingering against his clothes.
"As long as this stays with you," Melchior murmured quietly, "I'll always find you."
Lila jogged toward them with Regulus beside her. The lion still couldn't walk properly.
"Sir, are you alright?"
