[Silthara Palace — Malika's Private Chamber — Continuation]
Grief did not announce itself; it did not cry; it settled heavy and unseen. And in that chamber. It sat beside the living. Levin remained still upon the silken bed, his breath shallow and his body quiet but no longer untouched.
Something had been taken, silently and irreversibly, and beside him, Zeramet did not move his hand. It still held Levin's, not loosening, not trembling, just…holding.
As if that alone kept him anchored. The chamber stood empty now: no priest, no physician, and no attendants, because when the order had been given, they had left.
And none dared return, not yet.
"…One," the word slipped from Zeramet's lips, barely formed. "Only one remains."
Silence swallowed it; he looked down at Levin. "…And one…was taken."
