The words had barely settled into the air when Kaelvryn's magic collapsed entirely.
Lord Aldridge fell from the invisible hold as though the force suspending him had never existed at all.
His body struck the marble floor with a heavy, graceless sound, and for a moment he did not move except to cough violently, each ragged inhale clawing back the breath that had nearly been stolen from him.
The throne room felt unnaturally still.
Kaelvryn stood where he was, hand still half-raised, fingers trembling faintly as if they no longer recognized their own command.
His gaze remained locked on Aldridge, though it was no longer filled with fury alone. Shock had forced its way in, splintering rage
into something far more complicated.
Footsteps pounded in the corridor....Lucas.
