Vorthraxx returned to Drak'thar without speaking. He flew straight to his father's throne room and entered without announcement.
Dominus sat in consultation with the Greater Dragons. They stopped talking when Vorthraxx appeared.
"She's dead." He said flatly.
"I know." Dominus's voice was quiet. "We observed remotely. The harvesting was visible across dimensional barriers."
"The Arbiter consumed her. Used her body as fuel." Vorthraxx moved closer to the throne. "Everything you feared, it happened anyway. Despite our research. Despite our efforts. Heaven got exactly what it wanted."
"I'm sorry. I know you loved her."
"Loved her?. That love changed nothing. Made no difference. Delayed the inevitable by weeks at most." Vorthraxx stopped at the base of the throne. "You were right. We should have handed her over immediately. Avoided escalation. Preserved political stability."
Dominus's expression shifted. "Vorthraxx—"
