Cassian's words, "I can cure you completely," echoed like a prophecy off the walls of the dimly lit, medicine-scented room.
The heavy, invisible burden on Marquis Aldren's shoulders seemed to lift for a moment.
After years of healer visits, false hopes, and disappointments, the certainty in the voice of this mysterious young man before him had rekindled the dying ember in a father's heart.
He exhaled deeply, his lungs filling with air to full capacity for the first time in a long while.
However, the situation was different for Caius lying in the bed.
Caius pushed Cassian's hand on his forehead away with a sharp movement, as if his hand had been burned. His weak arms trembled, but the anger and distrust in his eyes were alive.
"You lie!" he growled, his voice rasping like a broken instrument. His purple eyes glistened with tears.
