The Great Hall erupted into chaos the moment Ryan and Elara staggered through the rear entrance, Caspian's unconscious body dragged between them like a confession written in bruises and blood. I was moving before conscious thought caught up with instinct, crossing the hall's length toward Ryan with my heart lodged somewhere in my throat, taking in the dark stain spreading across his tunic, the raw marks already purpling along his neck.
"Ryan " I reached him just as his legs finally buckled, catching his weight before he could collapse fully, Elara scrambling to help ease him down despite her own trembling hands.
"I'm fine," he managed, though his voice came out hoarse and strained, betraying exactly how far from fine he actually was. "Caspian found us in the servants' passage. Tried to f
