End the war

The moment Caelan's hands released her and she heard Lucian's swift movement behind her as he killed him, Ave lost her footing and collapsed.

Before she could hit the blood-covered floor, Lucian's arms were around her, pulling her firmly to his chest. She let herself fall into him, her body trembling as sobs wracked her. She hadn't cried through the torture, but now, knowing she was out of danger and in the safe hold of her husband, the dam burst. Tears poured down her face, stinging her bruises, but she couldn't stop.

Lucian's throat clenched painfully as he held her, the sounds of her sobs twisting his heart into an unbearable knot. He had always seen her as a strong, unyielding woman, but now she was shaking uncontrollably, reduced to broken sobs that tore from her throat like shards of glass.