[Silthara Palace — Lady Nyra's Chamber — Later]
The chamber had fallen silent. Outside...the palace slumbered beneath the moon, and inside only the quiet sound of restrained sobs remained.
Lady Nyra's small hands refused to loosen their grip upon Prince Sarash's robes; her fingers trembled and her shoulders shook. Yet she never made a sound loud enough for the palace to hear.
Sarash slowly knelt before her, his eyes lingering upon the bruises darkening her slender neck. Each crimson mark felt like a blade twisting within his chest.
Carefully...almost fearfully...he reached forward, his fingers gently brushed a loose strand of hair behind her ear, and his voice came barely as a whisper.
"...You frightened me."
Nyra lowered her head. "I'm sorry..."
"No." Immediately...his answer came. "You will never apologize for surviving."
Silence.
