Seraphin'as pov
I staggered backward instantly, horror crawling beneath my skin so violently it almost made me sick. "What do you mean by that, Father?" I whispered, my voice breaking apart before it could fully form. "Ivy killed him. The girl you just murdered killed Darius, so how dare you stand there and say something like that?"
"No, child."
He walked toward me slowly, exhaustion hanging from his body like chains.
His fingers briefly touched a few strands of my hair before he let them fall again, almost like he was remembering the little girl I used to be before everything rotted between us.
"She killed him, yes. Her brother gave the final touch by scattering his remains around the garden."
His voice grew quieter now, almost careful. "But after a few seconds, the poor boy lifted his hand. He was still breathing, Seraphina. Barely… but breathing. He called for your help."
My lips parted slowly.
"And then," he whispered painfully, "you gave the final blow."
"No…"
