[Location: Dungeon—Vampire King's Castle]
Behind us, Eris giggled faintly in her sleep, hugging the shadow-behemoth's snout tighter. The massive shadow adjusted minutely, cradling her with a gentleness that would have horrified its former living self.
Carmilla noticed.
Of course she did.
Her gaze lingered there longer than before, something old and complicated flickering behind her eyes.
"…I had a daughter once," she said casually.
"Once? Is she—"
I didn't finish the sentence.
I didn't need to.
Carmilla's steps faltered.
Just barely.
Not enough that anyone untrained would notice—but I did. The smooth cadence of her movement broke for half a heartbeat, heels hovering a fraction too long above the marble before settling again. The music did not stop, but the illusionary nobles beyond the windows blurred, as if the memory itself had flinched.
She didn't look at me.
Her gaze drifted instead toward Eris.
