Lucian's POV
Aurora, by contrast, resisted structure instinctively. Even now, marked and altered, she would hesitate before drawing lines. She would seek consent where authority would suffice.
That hesitation would cost her.
It would also preserve her.
Whether that preservation was useful remained to be seen.
Lucian did not root for outcomes.
He tracked trajectories.
The dungeon beneath Deephowl shifted for the second time that night.
Subtly and gradually.
Lucian felt it anyway.
Beatrice.
Alive. Aware. No longer dormant.
Good.
Guilt was an excellent teacher. So was abandoned. Together, they produced clarity sharper than loyalty ever could.
Beatrice did not need rescue.
She needed relevance.
That process had begun.
Lucian did not smile this time.
Some awakenings were quieter than others.
