"What did she say to you?" Aidan asks, shaking her. Griselda just stares blankly at him.
Slowly, her eyes welling up with tears. "You said she was defeated," she whispers, "I can't go through that ordeal with her again. I thought she was gone for good."
"I thought she was!" Aidan says, his hands going to her arms, his touch gentle but firm on her skin. "That dagger… The dagger Marcus used was meant to kill her."
"She called you a monster like everyone does," Griselda continues, her voice trembling. "She said you'll use my power and discard me just like she wanted to."
Aidan's face pales, and he pulls her into a tight embrace, his heart pounding against hers. "That's not true," he whispers into her hair. "I can't deny the name that everyone calls me. I mean, I really did terrible things when you were gone. But I would never hurt you, Griselda. I would never use you or have the intent of doing such. I love you, Culver."
