When Luna reached the castle gates, the first thing she saw was a broken woman kneeling there.
Her face was pale, her arm gone, her tears long dried. Blood no longer flowed from her wounds, and her empty eyes stared at nothing.
Nearby stood another woman—likely Averis's maid.
Luna's chest tightened when she looked at the wound. No healing magic could fix this.
She pulled out a small vial, crimson liquid swirling within—a mix of her own phoenix blood and herbs to mask its nature.
As Luna stepped closer, Averis flinched and finally lifted her head. Her gaze lingered on Luna only for a heartbeat before shifting to the man behind her.
Her heart, weak and fading moments ago, began to pound. Her eyes welled up, her dry voice trembling as she whispered, "M-My Lord…"
Hades's face was cold and detached.
Luna uncorked the vial. But Averis recoiled, shaking her head. "What are you doing? My Lord has decided this fate upon—"
"And now your Lord wants you to have your arm back."
