[Rynthall Estate—The Next Morning—Silas and Lucein's Chamber]
Lucien's legs were jelly. Pure, quivering jelly. He trembled with pain, betrayal, and exhaustion. Every muscle ached, every inch of skin felt tender, as though he had gone to war with the devil himself… and lost spectacularly.
He staggered across the chamber like a tragic hero clinging to his final breath. The tea set on the table mocked him with its innocent steam, promising comfort but offering none for his broken body.
"I… I should get a wheelchair," he muttered pitifully, dragging a chair out with all the gravity of a man preparing his own coffin. He finally lowered himself into it—
"AAGGGHHHHH—!!" Lucien screeched, bolting upright again. His hands flew to his backside. "MY BUTT—!! I lost my butt! Silas swallowed my butt whole—aghhhhhh!!"
