Xavier POV
They told me he had shifted back.
That was enough for me to come.
The underground chamber smelled like silver, dried blood. The guards stepped aside when I approached, their faces tense.
“He hasn’t spoken to anyone,” one of them said quietly.
I nodded once.
“Open it.”
The heavy door groaned as it unlocked.
He was sitting against the far wall.
Bare skin marked with burns where the silver chains wrapped around him. His wrists were raw. His shoulders slumped. His head bowed slightly forward, like something too heavy sat on his spine.
For a moment… I didn’t recognize him.
This wasn’t the sharp, controlled male I trained.
This wasn’t the one who sparred without hesitation.
This was a man hollowed out from the inside.
“Eryx,” I said evenly.
No response.
His breathing d
