The fire burned low, more embers than flame, casting the tent in soft gold and shadow. Outside, the war camp murmured—boots crunching over frost-hard earth, distant voices, the occasional clink of armor being adjusted for the hundredth time by hands that couldn’t sit still. But inside this tent, time felt suspended, like the world had drawn in a breath and was waiting.
This was the last night.
I sat cross-legged on a thick fur near the fire, Kael sat right behind me, his arms wrapped around my waist, his chin resting lightly against my hair. He hadn’t let go of me since the meeting ended, as if releasing me—even for a second—might tempt fate. I didn’t mind. I leaned back into him, drawing comfort from the steady beat of his heart, the warmth of him at my spine.
Across from us, Calen was
