~Kaida Orion POV~
I swallowed hard, and my chest ached with too many things... fear, jealousy, a longing I could not admit.
"I'm fine," I said quickly, though my voice trembled. "The child too, Elder Rachael kept us safe."
The elder stood nearby, leaning heavily on her staff, her face pale with exhaustion, she had given too much of herself tonight, and yet her eyes still burned with quiet fury.
Lupus turned toward her, bowing his head slightly. "You saved more lives than any blade... My thanks, Elder."
Rachael shook her head. "Thanks will not stop her from returning, you saw it... she wasn't here to win, she was here to claim!" Her gaze shifted to me then, heavy, searching, and my heart faltered.
Kaelith's words echoed still: What I came to take… is you.
I clutched the child tighter, as if she could anchor me against that chilling truth.
