Batista's POV
Fear. That was the first thing that gripped me when Rain's body collapsed into my arms. Her glow had vanished, her weapons dissolved, and for one long, endless moment—it felt like she wasn't breathing. My heart stopped with her.
I pressed my ear to her chest, my hands shaking, and the silence nearly tore me apart. No, no, please… not like this.
Then, a small gasp escaped her lips. Her chest rose, shaky but alive. Relief hit me so hard I nearly broke into tears. Her eyes fluttered open, unfocused at first, then darting around as if she had woken from a nightmare.
"What… what happened?" she whispered hoarsely, her hand clutching her forehead. "Is he dead? The Shadow King… is he gone?"
I cupped her face gently, trying to steady both her and myself. "He's gone. He's dead. You don't need to worry about him anymore." I searched her eyes, terrified of what I might see there. "Are you alright? You fainted—you scared me half to death."
