Twenty years in the In-Between had changed Pryce profoundly.
He no longer looked like the prince he'd been. His form had shifted—less imposing, more humble. He dressed simply. Moved quietly. Spent his days in meditation and reflection.
Other souls in the In-Between noticed.
"You're different," said Marcus—a man who'd killed his wife in a jealous rage and spent fifty years here learning remorse.
"I'm trying to be," Pryce replied. "Trying to understand what I was and why, so I never become that again."
"Do you still love her? The girl you cursed?"
Pryce thought about it honestly. "I don't know if what I felt was ever really love. It was need. Desperation. Fear of abandonment dressed up in romantic language. But actual love?" He shook his head. "I'm not sure I was capable of that. Not then."
"And now?"
"Now I understand what love should be. Too late to practice it, but at least I understand."
He thought about Rhys—not possessively, not with the burning need to reclaim him. Just with quiet gratitude that Rhys had survived. Had thrived. Had turned pain into purpose.
"He's helping people," Pryce said quietly. "Rhys. He created a foundation for abuse survivors. His book is saving lives."
"How do you know?"
"The Void Lord sometimes shows me. Punishment, maybe. Making me see all the good he's doing in the world while I'm here. But it doesn't feel like punishment anymore. It feels like... pride. He's extraordinary. He always was. I just couldn't see it past my own need to possess him."
Marcus smiled.
"Is it enough?"
It's Starttt...