Chapter 21
As the ship cruised through the endless expanse of space, Juniper sat across from Rylen in the cockpit, her gaze fixed on the star-speckled void outside the window. The hum of the ship’s engines was a low, steady rhythm beneath their conversation, a stark contrast to the unease building in her chest. She broke the silence, her voice quiet but firm. “How long have you known Kael?” Rylen glanced at her, his expression unreadable. He leaned back in his seat, arms crossed, as though considering how much he should say. “A long time,” he admitted finally. “We served together in the war. He was…” Rylen hesitated, searching for the right words. “He was a leader. The kind of person who could inspire loyalty in others, even when things got ugly.” Juniper tilted her head, watching him closely. “Wh
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