"Please, my child," begged the woman, her voice trembling as Arabella quickly reached out her hand. She tore her gaze away from Cassius and focused on her spell, lips moving in a hushed chant of healing. The soft glow of magic began to bloom, but before it could spread further, a gentle weight pressed over her hands.
Ariel's fingers rested lightly against her palms, stilling her incantation. Arabella turned, startled, and found her sister smiling faintly.
"Sister," Ariel said softly, "Noah's wounds have already closed. This is as far as our magic can reach. His body will endure, but his consciousness…" She shook her head, her voice fading to a whisper. "That will only return when he chooses to open his eyes again."
