The northern cavalry swept behind the royal army and charged.
Adrian had driven back the Norvans and then returned to Frost Ridge Fortress in only three days. The mining militia and two legions that had defected from the royal army came with him.
Attacked from both sides, Victor raised a white flag within 12 hours.
The gates opened. Adrian swung down from his horse and ran toward me.
He was much thinner. Cuts covered his face, and half his cloak had burned away.
But he was alive.
I did not believe he had truly returned until I saw his face.
"Evelyn."
My legs finally gave way. Adrian reached out and caught me.
When I woke, I was lying in a bedroom at Frost Ridge Fortress. He was still beside the bed, holding my hand. The blood on his uniform had dried to a dark brown.
When my eyes
