[Emperor Cassius's POV — Imperial Palace—Midnight]
I held her in my arms, and for the first time in centuries, the weight of helplessness crushed me. Her body was so light, so fragile, so achingly… pale. Her chest rose and fell in the faintest of motions, almost imperceptible. Every second felt like an eternity, and every beat of my heart hammered in terror.
No. Not again. Not her. Not my Lavinia.
"She… she's breathing," I whispered, barely daring to speak the words, as if saying them too loudly might shatter the fragile thread keeping her here.
Around me, chaos reigned. Maids scurried, physicians muttered incantations and measured herbs, and Ravick—my ever-unflinching knight—stood frozen, his face pale, his hands shaking.
Even Marshi, ever so proud and composed, slumped at her side, his tail drooping, eyes wide with fear.
