AYASHA'S POV
The carriage wheels hit every rut in the road back to the palace. Each jolt sent tremors through my bones, but I welcomed the discomfort. It kept me grounded. Kept me from floating away into the darkness that threatened to swallow my thoughts whole.
Pavati refused her own ride and chose to go with mine. She sat across from me in silence. Her hands rested flat on her knees, fingers splayed wide like she was trying to anchor herself to something solid. The moonlight streaming through the small window caught the silver gleam of her battle magic protective rune, but the protective glow had long since faded.
I wanted to say something. Anything. But what words existed for what we had just witnessed? What comfort could I offer when Kira's blood was probably still being scrubbed from the marble floor and I was a mess myself?