Grayson's heart stops after hearing Morgan give the go-ahead for his execution.
"What?" His head snaps up. "Morgan—what did you say?"
Morgan finally meets his eyes again. "I said," he repeats without emotion, "they can go ahead and do what they intended with you."
The forest goes very, very quiet. Grayson stares at him, disbelief turning his face pale.
"You—you want them to…" He chokes on the word. "You want me dead?"
"I've wanted you to pay," Morgan corrects. "There's a difference."
Something inside Grayson caves in completely. He lets out a sound torn straight from his chest. Tears spill freely now, mixing with blood and dirt as his pride dissolves into nothing.
"I loved you," he says brokenly. "I loved you more than myself."
For the first time, a more palpable emotion does flicker across Morgan's face.
