Lexianna hit the polished stone hard.
Her shoulder took the brunt of the impact, a sharp spike of pain radiating down her arm, but she barely felt it. She was entirely focused on the massive, dead weight crashing down beside her.
Arkin's ruined armor scraped loudly against the floorboards. He rolled once and came to a dead stop, his limbs splayed at unnatural angles. The pristine, cedar-scented sanctuary of their bedroom was instantly defiled by the overpowering stench of burning ozone, thick mud, and dark demon blood.
Lexianna scrambled to her hands and knees. Her breath was coming in ragged, desperate gasps. The massive exertion of teleporting two people across the territory had nearly drained her newly stabilized core, leaving her trembling and dizzy.
She crawled over the ruined silk rugs and threw herself at his side.
"Arkin," she choked out, her hands frantically grabbing his robes.
There was no response.
