The Shadow Emperor’s blade never reached Nysera.
Steel clashed against steel.
A burst of silver light illuminated the battlefield.
Draven stood before her, his body shielding hers.
A deep crimson wound stretched across his chest.
Blood dripped onto the sacred stones beneath his feet.
“Draven!”
Nysera rushed toward him, but he raised one hand.
“I’m… fine.”
He wasn’t.
His breathing had already become ragged.
The Shadow Emperor smirked.
“I wondered how long it would take the Lycan King to throw his life away.”
Draven wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth.
“If protecting my Queen costs me everything…”
“…then it’s a price I’ll gladly pay.”
The battlefield fell silent.
Even Kael stopped fighting.
He had always suspected Draven cared for Nysera.
But hearing those words…
