Page 151 of The Shattered Rite
But when Malric looked down at it, he didn’t feel chained.
He felt owned.
And he didn’t mind. Not anymore.
Because soon, Eliryn would be too.
Chapter 23: All That Remains
“In the quiet after violence, everything speaks the truth.”—Proverb, Stormthresh origin
Eliryn sat in silence beside his body.
She hadn’t moved. Not even to wipe the blood from her hands. It dried sticky against her skin, matted under her fingernails. Her fingers were splayed wide against the stone, as if bracing. As if balance could still be found.
Silas was gone.
She could still feel where his last breath had shuddered out against her knees. Still felt the weight of him, heavy and slumped, like he’d given up mid-breath. She waited for the tears to come again.
They didn’t.
“I should’ve stopped it,” she whispered.
No,Vaeronth’s voice came low, uncertain.Not like this. You couldn’t have.
Her jaw locked. “He died right in front of me.”
I know.
“I didn’t see anything. I didn’t even hear—” Her voice cracked. “Why didn’t you warn me?”
Vaeronth hesitated. She felt it. Like stone cracking beneath weight.
I… couldn't.
Eliryn’s throat tightened. “You always know. You’re supposed to know.”
I felt the attack only when it was already in motion. Something dampened me. Blinded me. A magic that shouldn’t exist—not anymore. Something coiled through those halls. Older than even I can name.
She shook her head. “That’s not good enough.”
I know.
His answer was too honest. Too quiet. It didn’t make her feel better. It made her want to scream.
“You should’ve helped.”
I couldn’t.He repeated.
“You’re a dragon!” she snapped. “You could’ve broken through the walls.”
And buried you both,Vaeronth said, his voice rougher now.I tried, Eliryn. I tried until it burned.
She wrapped her arms around herself. “Was the blade meant for me?”
I don’t know.
Her breath caught.
