I wake to a twilight-raked sky, the ruins of Isolde's stronghold awash with the ghostly light of fading coals. The chamber in which her heart used to beat now lays vacant—a memory carved in broken obsidian. My blood of battle-stains the blade And by thy side I write this tale, lest thy poor name debate. Next to me, Kael's breath is heavy and even, his color finally coming back. And by his side I feel the tie, Thrilling with life, the baby tie, Tender and yet so strong. The last anchor of Isolde's curse was gone and yet one question continued to scratch at my mind: why?
Kael twists his body, grunting as his body idles on the cold rock we attempted to find sleep upon. He raises his head and looks straight at me, standing there staring at the base. Candlelight plays across his scarred features, and his gray eyes stand out unleashed as storms of memory and release. "Lila," he says, his voice hoarse. "Are you… are you all right?"
