bond. Lian was her strength, her one tether to humanity. But he was also her ultimate vulnerability. Her ancient soul, capable of weathering eons, could be utterly undone by the sight of his blood. His love didn't just cage her; it disarmed the goddess within, leaving only a terrified woman in its wake.
Yueshuang staggered back to her chambers, supported by her brother's unwavering arm. The world around her was a muffled, distant thing, the frantic activity of servants, the low, urgent voices of her father's guards, all faded into a dull hum against the screaming silence in her mind.
She was aware of being guided to a divan, of a heavy blanket being draped over her shoulders, but she felt nothing. Her brother's presence was a steady pressure, but it was a poor substitute for the one who was gone.
With a final, worried glance, he left her, as he went to join the grim clean-up.
