Vyra's scream shattered the air.
She lunged forward.
One last attempt.
A blade hidden in her sleeve.
Fast.
But Kael was faster.
His hand shot forward, grabbing her wrist mid-air.
He twisted.
She fell to her knees, howling in pain.
Blood on the marble.
Kael's voice was a low growl.
"You just attacked a tribunal witness under oath."
"Now it's not exile."
"It's prison."
Guards dragged her away.
Her pearls snapped.
Clattered across the floor like scattered bones.
Rayan didn't move for a long time.
He stood where she had lunged.
Breathing slowly.
Quietly.
Finally, Kael touched his back.
"Say it," he murmured.
Rayan closed his eyes.
Then opened them.
And whispered:
"It's over."
Outside, the clouds broke.
Sunlight poured through the glass ceiling of the court.
And for the first time since he was born, Rayan Callan walked free as the heir to his own name.
Rayan stood in front of a mirror.
Not the cracked glass of a cell.
