Emperor Aldric looked….
Broken.
That was the only word for it. His golden hair was disheveled. His formal robes were wrinkled. His eyes were red-rimmed, like he had been crying or hadn't slept or both.
He stood in the doorway, staring at me like he wasn't sure I was real.
"Father," I whispered.
That single word broke whatever dam he had been holding back.
He crossed the room in seconds, dropping to his knees beside the bed and pulling me into a crushing hug
I gasped, from surprise more than pain, and then I was crying again, sobbing into his shoulder while he held me like I might disappear if he let go.
"I am sorry," he choked out, his voice breaking. "I'm so sorry, Roxanne. I should have protected you better. I should have—I failed you—"
"You didn't fail me," I managed. "Father, you saved me. You and Cassian and Kieran—you found me—"
"Not soon enough." His grip tightened. "If we had been even a minute later…..if that ritual had finished—"
