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Evrardin fell as those not meant for this realm dusted in the air, all at once. He heaved in breaths, glancing at Cofsi with a silent, What the hell?

Cofsi wiped the blood from his forehead and strolled over to give Evrardin a hand. The svik and the hundred Sun Warriors slain had Kairth returning to dark halls and empty streets.

Ev might be tempted to jest and say, “ All is right with the world once again ,” but his mind went straight to Mara. “I have to get to the princess,” he rushed out to Lord Cofsi who nodded.

“I’ll begin to… clean up,” he responded dryly, wiping green sludge from his dress shirt.

Evrardin darted to the stairs, the path of bodies left strewn about the room jarring, shattered mirror-glass mixed with blood. He slipped into the cathedral, Lord Alfson’s head lulled to the side, blood congealing on the ground. The Solar Sect members who didn’t escape were lifeless, their bodies spread on the floor. He traced over the gore until he spotted the weeping figure of a princess against the back wall.

He approached her, her form contorted and bent over Acastus, and he said her name softly.

She faced him, her eyes—back to hazel—widening in recognition. And her hair returned to the chestnut hue it always was. Her skin had mostly cleared, the red burn path still scarring her right arm, but no longer ashen. She sprung to her feet, clasping her arms around the captain’s neck. He bent his knees for her to reach, and his arms reciprocated the embrace. When was the last time he hugged another person? He truly couldn’t recall.

She pulled back, her feet a foot off the ground as he held her. “Are you okay?” she asked.

He couldn’t restrain his smile— she was asking him if he was okay—then pressed his lips to hers. Her fingers slid into his hair, intertwining with the blood, both their hearts racing. His arms tightened their hold on her waist, pulling her into his chest as close as he could. She hummed against him, whimpering in joy that he was alive enough to be kissing her.

Evrardin loved her.

He reluctantly dropped her to her feet, breathing deeply. Her wedding dress was stained red, blood pooled all around her feet. Evrardin’s brows raised as he followed the pool to Acastus’ human form lying lifeless on the floor.

“Did you…?” he began.

Mara shook his head. “No. He… He did it himself.”

Evrardin’s hand was on Mara’s shoulder, then it slid onto the back of her neck, holding her lightly as he studied Acastus’ corpse.

“He shifted to his human self after he severed the connection,” she answered his unasked question.

Evrardin nodded, his hand sliding down her back, leaving a ghostly trail. She reached for his hand and he instinctively winced. “You’re hurt,” she murmured.

“It’s nothing.”

She rolled her eyes. “Has anyone ever fussed over you before?”

This felt an odd conversation to be had amongst the carnage, but when did they ever have a normal conversation?

“Not that I remember. But you don’t?—”

Her finger came up to his lips, pressing lightly to hush him. “We should get cleaned up anyway.”

Evrardin grabbed her hand before she could retract it from his face. Her fingers were tinged a faint ash as if she had touched fire. Just as Cas’ had started.

“It’s fine,” she insisted. “I don’t think it will go further than this. Cas was using the draugr magick far more than me. And with the connection severed, the pain has subsided.”

He appraised her, taking her word, but worry still vibrating in the back of his mind. He wasn’t used to worrying about another person quite like this.

Evrardin and Mara left the cathedral, but not before Evrardin turned around to take one last look at his friend.