Different Person

The revelation slammed into Ulrick's mind like a sledgehammer. She was dying?

Since when? Why did she look so healthy if she was ill?

It made no sense.

"My lady? Surely you jest. How could someone so powerful and young be on the verge of death's door?"

Selena sighed, patting the bed next to her.

"Come. Sit down. I will explain all to you. But this need not leave this room. Understood?"

"Of course, my love," Ulrick said, feeling his heart tug.

He sat down, and as she spoke to him, his eyes filled with tears.

***

On the western side of the manor, in the guardian wing, Astaroth was finally waking up from his partial coma. His head was ringing, and his body felt like it was covered in a blanket of lead.

He opened his eyes to an unfamiliar ceiling, for the umpteenth time in the last months, and sighed in annoyance.