Silence.
Not peaceful.
Not gentle.
Not quiet.
Shattering.
Kanah stared at Owain as if he had just stabbed her.
As if the ground had opened beneath her.
"Owain…"
Her voice barely existed.
"Owain, no. That's not a promise—you can't—"
Owain reached for her.
She stepped back.
Helion winced.
Yllas bowed his head.
Gerrin closed his eyes, knowing what was coming.
Owain's expression collapsed.
"Kanah."
"No."
She shook her head violently, tears forming so quickly her vision blurred.
"You can't promise that. You can't choose my life over yours. You can't—Owain—please—"
She choked on a sob.
"You promised that before. You almost died because of it. You almost—"
Owain stepped forward again.
"I'm not trying to die."
"THAT'S WHAT THAT PROMISE MEANS!" she screamed.
Her voice cracked like glass thrown against stone.
Owain flinched.
Kanah covered her trembling mouth.
"I can't lose you. Not like that. Not ever again."
Owain swallowed hard.
"But if something tried to kill you—if something threatened you—if I had to choose—"
His throat bobbed.
"I would always choose you."
Kanah clenched her eyes shut.
"That's NOT love, Owain. That's sacrifice."
Owain's brows knit together.
"That's how wolves love."
Kanah's heart split.
Her voice softened into something painful and raw.
"One of us does NOT have to die for the other to live."
Owain exhaled.
"Kanah…"
"You promised me your life," she whispered.
"You offered your death."
Owain froze.
Kanah reached forward and placed a hand on his chest, over his heartbeat.
"We heal together. We suffer together. We grow together. I don't want a vow that kills either of us. I want a vow that lets us live."
Owain grabbed her hand, squeezing hard.
"Then tell me what to promise."
Kanah blinked.
"What?"
Owain's eyes softened in the way they always did when he was ready to tear himself apart for her.
"Tell me how to love you in a way that keeps us both alive."
Kanah's breath hitched.
She stepped closer.
Close enough that their noses almost touched.
She whispered:
"Promise me… you stay."
Owain's grip tightened around her hand.
"Promise me you live—because I want a life with you."
His breath stuttered.
"Promise me you don't leave me alone in this world. Ever."
Owain's chest rose and fell too quickly.
Kanah barely breathed.
"Promise me… you live with me."
Owain looked stunned.
Frozen.
Lost.
And then—
"Kanah…"
He leaned forward until his forehead touched hers.
"I want that."
She sucked in a breath.
He whispered:
"I want a life with you."
Kanah shut her eyes, tears spilling.
"Then choose that."
Owain inhaled deeply.
Painfully.
And said—
"I promise—"
The air crackled.
The silver realm brightened.
Kanah held her breath.
Helion cursed under his breath.
Yllas gripped his blade.
Gerrin's magic pulsed, reacting to the impending vow.
Owain continued, voice breaking open with emotion:
"—to live my life with you."
The ground trembled.
Kanah gasped.
The vow hit the world like a shockwave—
Owain groaned in pain—
Kanah nearly collapsed from the force—
Yllas shielded his face—
Helion staggered back—
Gerrin drove his staff into the ground to stabilize the magic.
Owain squeezed her hand harder.
"I promise—"
He whispered as if the words anchored him,
"—to stay."
Kanah sobbed.
"Owain—"
He didn't stop.
His voice lowered, deepening with instinct.
"Not as a shield.
Not as a sacrifice."
Another pulse struck.
Kanah fell forward and Owain caught her instinctively.
He whispered the final words against her hair:
"—but as your partner."
The vow sealed.
The silver realm flared white.
Kanah choked out a quiet, heartbroken sound.
Owain pulled her against his chest as the world shook.
"Kanah—Kanah—I'm right here—don't look away—"
"I'm not," she cried.
"I'm not—I'm not—I won't—"
He held her so tightly she could barely breathe.
Like he finally understood how to hold her without losing himself.
The First King's voice pressed down:
"The vow has been remade."
Owain exhaled shakily.
Kanah clung to him.
The First King continued:
"But every vow must be tested."
Owain's expression twisted.
"Tested…? HOW—"
The world shattered.
Silver cracked.
Light bent.
The realm split into fragments.
And through the falling pieces—
A figure stepped in.
Not her murderer.
Not a beast.
Not the First King.
Kanah's blood froze.
"No—no—no—
Not now—
NOT HIM—"
Owain stiffened.
His pupils constricted.
"Kanah.
Who is that?"
Kanah shook violently, unable to speak.
Gerrin whispered in dread:
"…that's Kanah's father."
Helion swore loudly.
Yllas went pale.
Owain's entire stance changed — protective, confused, instinct blazing.
Kanah backed up until her spine hit Owain's chest.
Her voice fractured:
"He's the one…
who gave me to the man who killed me."
Owain's breath left him in a snarl.
The First King's voice filled the realm:
"The Promise is tested by the past they must face together."
Owain stepped forward, shielding her completely.
Kanah grabbed his arm, shaking.
"Owain—please—don't leave me—"
"I'm not," he whispered.
"I promised.
So I'm staying right here."