AT THE SAME TIME
MEI SHEN'S POINT POINT OF VIEW:
The courtyard still hummed with the echo of Richard's screams, the air thick with smoke and divine fire. The decree's light flickered out at last, leaving only silence and the sound of Lianwei's ragged breath. He stood rigid, fists clenched, eyes locked on the spot where Richard had burned away. But I saw it the trembling in his jaw, the storm in his chest. His world had been cracked open, and doubt was already pouring in.
"Do you even know who you are, boy?" Richard's venom still coiled like a curse in the air.
I moved to him slowly, ignoring the weight of the Bai brothers' watchful stares, ignoring even Rosalie's steady gaze. This was only for him. When I reached him, I slipped my hand into his, his knuckles were cold, tense, but he didn't pull away. I leaned closer, so only he could hear.
"Lianwei,."I whispered. "I know what he meant. I read it."
His head snapped toward me, eyes sharp, desperate.
