He brought the blade down and pierced her heart... or so he thought—
Thuck!
A hand caught his wrist with unyielding strength just before the knife could even graze her skin.
Everyone's eyes widened in disbelief, breaths catching as they saw—Aether's other hand had surged up and seized his own wrist, stopping the blade in midair.
"Arrhh!" Aether groaned, his body twisting with resistance. He struggled violently, forcing his right hand—which gripped the blade—toward her chest. And yet, his left hand wouldn't allow it. His own fingers clenched around his right wrist, refusing to let it move even a single inch closer.
His eyes flickered between black and white, trembling like a candle between two winds. Something deep inside him—furious, grieving, afraid—was resisting the command she gave.
Dora lay helplessly on the cold stone, her body covered in wounds and smeared blood. Her lips trembled as she looked up at Aether, whose face was a storm of fear, love, heartbreak, and guilt.
