Mara raised her blade for a killing blow.
"You taught me everything," I whispered.
"How to fight. How to survive. How to be brave when I wanted to give up. You were more than my teacher. More than my protector. You were my family."
The blade descended.
I didn't move.
Didn't defend.
Just looked up at those empty silver eyes and said:
"I love you, Mara. I never got to say it before. But I love you. And I forgive you. For everything."
The blade stopped.
One inch from my throat.
Mara's hand was shaking.
For a moment, nothing moved.
Mara stood frozen, blade trembling at my throat.
Her silver eyes flickering， silver, then brown, then silver again.
"NO!" Seraphine's voice cracked like a whip.
"I command you! KILL HER!"
Mara's hand steadied.
The blade pressed closer.
Then sh
