Lord Valor and Lord Damien hung in their restraints, their bodies trembling violently even though the instruments of torture that had surrounded them moments ago had vanished.
Sweat soaked their robes, their chests rose and fell in desperate attempts to catch breath, and their eyes darted wildly around the dim stone room as though the nightmare might return at any second.
But it did not because King Kaelvryn had finally lowered his hand.
The dark ripple of power that had twisted the chamber into a labyrinth of torment slowly faded, dissolving into the quiet shadows that belonged there.
The illusion collapsed like smoke scattered by wind, leaving behind the original cold stone walls and rusted chains that had once held Valen captive.
Valor gasped loudly, his body sagging against the restraints as if his bones had suddenly lost their strength.
"My gods… my gods…"
