Xavier tried to speak, but a violent cough wracked his body, and a dark stream of blood spilled from his lips. Still, he didn't stop. With trembling limbs and pain searing through every inch of him, he dragged himself closer, his bloodied fingers curling around the cold iron bars.
"I... I didn't do it," he rasped, his voice barely a whisper, each word drenched in agony. "I didn't mean to hurt her..."
King Killian stood still for a moment, eyes narrowing with disdain. Then he let out a cold, humorless scoff. "Like hell I'd believe a single word from your cursed mouth."
Without another glance, he turned and walked away, his cloak trailing behind him like a mist.
Xavier's strength gave out, and he sagged against the bars, the burning chains digging deeper into his flesh. The blood coming out of his mouth now turned black, and in the end, he gave up and fell to the ground in a tired slump.
