Liam lay sprawled on the cold stone floor of the dungeon's deepest chamber, the echoes of the boss's final roar still fading into silence.
His chest heaved with ragged breaths as he lifted the glowing vial of healing potion to his lips and drank deeply.
The liquid burned down his throat like liquid fire, spreading warmth through his battered limbs.
Vitality surged back into him in waves.
The deep gashes across his back knit closed, the bruises on his ribs faded, and the bone-deep exhaustion lifted just enough for him to think clearly again.
He closed his eyes for a moment, letting the relief wash over him.
'That was too close. One wrong move and those burning chunks of the tree would have crushed the girls. I barely held the line.'
He pushed himself up slowly, muscles protesting, and glanced toward the others.
The three girls waited nearby, their faces pale with worry and lingering fear.
Olivia's eyes met his first, soft, grateful, and something more.
