"It's over," Lucian whispers, still holding Aiden against him, the weight of everything finally crashing down.
The air is thick with smoke and silence, the ground still warm from what just happened.
Aiden trembles slightly in his arms, then lifts his head just a little, eyes glossy. They land on Lucian's neck, "The mark… it's gone," he breathes out. Then pauses, a frown crossing his face. "But…"
Lucian furrows his brows and gently tilts Aiden's chin, looking on Aiden's neck where the mark was.
Where the glowing symbol once was, there's only smooth skin… but his name remains etched in delicate.
"…But your name is still there," Lucian finishes for him, voice cracking on the last word.
Aiden nods, but it's barely there.
