Lucien's headless body, still with the expression of astonishment and rage frozen on his face, fell mere inches from Jayde's knees, splattering blood and cerebrospinal fluid. She watched it, her supposed fiancé's body now a shattered, lifeless mannequin.
I expected screams from Jayde – maybe joy, anger, even regret, perhaps a sudden fury directed at me. I wanted any reaction, any feeling. Instead, her eyes went wide, and she froze like a silent statue, not moving a muscle. Her body began to tremble uncontrollably, not from fear of me, but from an emotion I couldn't immediately decipher. And then, to my surprise, she collapsed to her knees, as if all strength had left her, like a rag doll.
"Thank you, thank you, thank you!"
She stammered, tears gushing as she bowed, her forehead touching the dusty ground.
"You saved me! I'm finally free of that beast! Thank you, my lord!"
