Zane
The campfire was slowly burning down, but the embers were still glowing, casting a reddish light on the faces around us. Dinner was simple. Roasted meat, fresh bread, some vegetables. Nothing special for my warriors. But for Elariana, I could see that every bite was another battle she had to fight with herself.
She sat across from me, at a distance she had chosen, and I respected it. She held her back stiffly, her shoulders tense, as if an attack could come at any moment. Her hand shook slightly as she held the spoon, but still… she ate.
Not quickly. Not confidently. But she ate.
And that was more than I had ever hoped for in these first days.
From time to time my gaze drifted to her, watching every small movement. I knew she could feel it when I looked at her, so I was careful n
