Liv closed her eyes, allowing herself to lean fully into Jay's hold.
The bedroom door opened slowly.
The air inside the room seemed to change as the Archmage stepped in not because of a threatening aura, but because of the silence that came with her. Her long white hair was simply tied back, her dark robe gliding soundlessly across the stone floor. Her gaze went straight to Liv.
To the faint trace of blood at the corner of her lips.To her breathing, not yet fully steady.To the way Jay stood too close, as if his own body were the last remaining shield.
"Let me see her," the Archmage said calmly.
Jay hesitated for a fraction of a second, then stepped back half a pace enough to give space, not enough to move away.
The Archmage approached the bed and knelt until she was level with Liv. She did not touch her at first. She only looked long and deep, as though reading something written neither on skin nor in blood.
