Lady Celena's eyes went wide in shock, but before she could react, Jessamyn didn't hesitate. With one swift, powerful motion, she drove the sword into Lady Celena's chest. The blade sank deep, and Lady Celena gasped, her breath catching in her throat as her hands flew to the hilt protruding from her heart.
For a moment, everything was silent. The only sound was the shallow, ragged breaths escaping Lady Celena's lips as she stared at Jessamyn in disbelief. Her once-mad eyes dulled, the life draining out of her as she staggered backward, collapsing to the ground with a final, strangled gasp.
Jessamyn stood over her, her chest heaving as she caught her breath. Lady Celena's body lay still at her feet, the sword still embedded in her chest, blood pooling around her. Jessamyn's hand trembled, but she felt no regret. There was no other way. Lady Celena had been too far gone, too consumed by the darkness her mother had planted inside her.
