The room felt smaller after Vicar's words, as though the walls themselves leaned in to listen.
Nicole turned fully toward Jasper then, her hands coming up to cradle his face. Despite the lingering darkness beneath his eyes, despite the corruption that clung to him like a second shadow, this was still her husband. Still the man she chose—again and again.
"I will stand by your side," she said softly, each word steady. "Always. As your wife. I will never go against you, Jasper. No matter what comes."
For a moment, something in him eased. The tension in his shoulders loosened, just slightly. He gave her a warm, tired smile the kind that only ever belonged to her.
"I thank you, my sweet lamb," he murmured, brushing his thumb along her cheek. Then his voice darkened, reality bleeding back in. "But Serf may come to us. And if he does… he may kill us all."
Nicole shook her head quickly, stubborn hope flashing in her eyes.
