Creak!
The stone doors of the chamber slowly sealed shut behind Damian before fading completely into the wall, leaving no trace that the entrance had ever existed.
Damian's attention immediately settled on the balcony doors at the far end of the room, where pale moonlight poured across the floor. He walked toward them at an unhurried pace and pushed them open, allowing the cool midnight breeze to wash over his face.
His long gray hair flickered gently in the wind, and for several moments he simply stood there with his eyes closed, listening to the quiet rustling of the night.
After everything he had survived that afternoon, the ordinary sound of the breeze felt almost therapeutic.
"Your Majesty, how do you feel now?" Alice's voice shattered his reverie.
Damian opened his eyes and slowly turned toward her, his expression dull from exhaustion.
He sniffed slightly before giving her a tired smile. "Do you want me to lie or do you want the truth?" Damian asked.
